State mulls delaying implementation of ban

Mumbai: Even as the deadline imposed by the Bombay high court for implementing the plastic ban is only a day away, the state government is considering a proposal to defer the implementation of ban to July 21.

An expert committee appointed by the government on Wednesday held discussions on various issues related to the ban. The meeting was held in Mantralaya. “Plastic manufacturers have filed a petition in the high court challenging the ban. The hearing on their petition has been kept on June 22. The committee is also of the view that some more time needs to be given,” a government official said.

However, state environment minister Ramdas Kadam clarified that the expert committee cannot decide to extend the deadline. “The expert committee has no powers to take such a decision. The date to start implementing the ban is June 23. So far the government has not taken any decision to change it,” the minister said.

Speaking on the BMC’s attempts to bring down the fine amount for using banned, the minister said that civic body also has no powers to change any decision on the ban.