Delhi State Cabinet Approved a Blanket Ban on Plastic Bags

The Delhi state Cabinet on 4 April 2011 approved a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage, usage and sale of plastic bags in the Capital. The government imposed the ban under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Under the act, whoever violates the law would be liable for imprisonment up to five years and fine of upto 1 lakh rupees or both. The Court will decide the quantum of punishment. At present, around 400 plastic bag manufacturing units are operating in Delhi. The total annual turnover of these units is in the range of 800 Crore Rupees and 1000 Crore Rupees.

In 2008, the state government of Delhi implemented the first ban against the use of plastic bags of thickness below 40 microns. In January 2009, the government banned sale, use and storage of plastic bags.