Small bottles receive three-month exemption

Mumbai: Even though the state government has made provision of imprisonment for three months and a hefty fine while enforcing the plastic ban, it has not yet ordered its implementation against users. The government has asked local bodies not to undertake harsh action immediately and give the public few months time, said senior officials from the environment department. Meanwhile, small plastic bottles were exempted from the ban for three months on Thursday and this will continue till necessary arrangements are made, officials clarified.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local bodies have decided to give citizens and vendors some more time to dispose of old stocks of plastic. They have not started any action and the government too has also asked them not to be harsh with users immediately.

Meanwhile small plastic water bottles of less than 500 ml have beenexempted from the ban for three months. The environment department, has issued the notification, additional chief secretary Satish Gavai told The Asian Age.

Small plastic water bottles are being used at all government offices, including Mantralaya, five star hotels and public places. So till effective alternative arrangement is not made, small bottles have been exempted from the ban. But they will charge Rs 2 more for recycling, for which machines will be set up at many places in few days.