The Maharashtra government has acted against 6,369 shops for violating the plastic ban, state Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam informed the Legislative Council on Thursday. The government has collected a fine of Rs 4,12,20,588 during the drive against the use of plastic bags, he said in a written reply to a question asked by Congress legislator Harisinh Rathod.
"As many as 273 factories manufacturing thin plastic bags have been asked to shut their operations," he said, adding that the government has destroyed 2,41,670 kilograms of plastic bags. "Plastic bags above 50 microns of thickness are permitted for use. However, some of the plastic bag manufacturers have faced the government action and it has affected the supply of milk pouches to the dairies in the state," Kadam said.
"The state has given some extension to the dairies to come out with an alternative to the existing plastic milk pouches," the minister said. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Kadam said the buyback scheme for plastic milk bags will be rolled out in a month's time.
He said this while replying to a debate on the issue raised through a calling attention notice in the Lower House. The minister said the milk distribution companies have agreed to ensure that the milk bags will cost 50 paise more.