When the court asked about common people using plastic, advocate Bharucha said that the state would take action against them as per the notification. (Representational image)

Mumbai: The state government has modified its plastic ban notification and given three months’ time to manufacturers to dispose of their existing plastic products. However, the government was quick to clarify that it would continue with its action against people possessing plastic. The submissions were made in Bombay high court while hearing four petitions challenging the plastic ban notification.

A division bench of ustice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagala was hearing the petitions filed by PET Container Manufacturers Association and All India Plastic Manufacturers Association, challenging the state government notification banning manufacture, use, storage, distribution, wholesale, retail sale, import and transportation of all kinds of plastic material.

Special Counsel for the state, advocate E.P. Bharucha informed the court that the state had exempt manufacturers from the ban for a period of three months. When the court asked about common people using plastic, advocate Bharucha said that the state would take action against them as per the notification.

Questioned about giving an extension to manufacturers while denying the same to the aam aadmi, advocate Bharucha replied that manufacturers would not be able to sell their plastic in Maharashtra but would have to sell it in other states.