AGARTALA, July 25 (TIWN): The Modified Plastic Waste Management & Handling Rule 2011 has virtually put a pressure on Left front government in Tripura, as it recommended that plastic bags weighs less than 40 microns cannot be used, but above 40 microns can be used. Tripura government had issued total banned on the use and consumption of plastic carry bags, considering it's impact on sewerage system due to indiscriminate littering by the dwellers. The High Court of Tripura has also agreed with the decision while hearing on a case early this year filed by All India Plastic Association (AIPA).

Accordingly, State Pollution Control Board has issued warning for all stakeholders over manufacturing, sell, use and carry of plastic carry bags and started legal action against the users.

Meantime, challenging the government decision, AIPA filed fresh litigation before High Court that total ban on plastic carry bag is contradictory to the provision exist but the state government, since failed to manage the plastic waste well, they issued total ban, they alleged. The AIPA also pointed out that Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of plastic is the internationally accepted norms for the citizen but total ban on plastic is not possible, as present life is depending on plastic. Moreover, plastic industry is contributing well to India's GDP. 

"Does Tripura government ban the entry of plastic packaged food, beverages and edible coming from outside of the state?" AIPA questioned adding that the food and edible packets like biscuits, cheaps, oil, milk and others neither can be reuse nor can be reduce but only option is recycle of the wastes or use them for generating energy.

Managing plastic waste is the duty of the administration and they have to device the best practice mechanism to turn waste into wealth what the state government is miserably failed and to cover up their management failure, government issued ban on plastic, said AIPA official here.

After hearing the petition, HC issued notice to the state government seeking reply by 23^rd August and stated if government filed reply within the stipulated period, court will decide the case on merit. However Project Officer of Environment Bipul Mallick informed that the matter has been taken into consideration. The process is going on. But final decision has not been taken yet.

He said according to Environment Protection Act 1986, Science & Environment Department decided to ban the use of plastic bags from October 2013 onwards.