Pune: Owners of plastic manufacturing companies have got relief from the Mumbai High Court, as it has ordered that the notification issued by the Maharashtra government on February 2 on banning plastic carry bags and other items made of thermocol or plastic is not a final notification.

Plastic items mentioned in the notification include plates, cups, glasses, spoons, flexes, non-woven polypropylene bags, banners, decorative items, flags and plastic sheets. After the notification on February 2, members of Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association (MPMA) had filed a petition in the HC on February 20. 

Ravi Jashnani, President of MPMA, said, “We had organised a protest against the government, as they were not answering any of our demands. On February 23, after the protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, the government accepted our request application, which mentioned that they should provide us with an alternative before putting a ban on plastic.”

“The court ordered that the government should draft a notification again and approve it from the Cabinet ministers. Public opinion would be taken on it and then a final notification will be issued depending on people’s reaction. This could take 30 to 45 days,” he added.