By IANS,
New Delhi : Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday that it was not possible to put a blanket ban on plastics in the country as it would affect the massive employment provided by the industry.
“I am not in favour of blanket ban on plastics as the industry provides massive employment to people. The problem is with the collection system and we need to strengthen that. Inherently, plastics are not hazardous to health but problem is due to circulation of substandard and recycled plastics,” Ramesh told the Lok Sabha during question hour.
He said use of plastic bags was initiated 20 years back to stop deforestation and it is not advisable to ban them.
“We need to be a little conscious. Many states have banned the use of plastic bags and that is the way to deal with it. The central government can promulgate the appropriate rules but its enforcement has to be done by the state government and the municipal authorities,” he said.
The environment minister said 15,777 tonnes of plastic was produced in the country per day and providing economic incentive was the best way to check the use of plastic.
“We are also looking at economic incentive in order to discourage the use of plastic. We have done some studies and if you add small cost to the plastic bags, people can be dissuaded from the use of plastic bag. I think economic incentive is better way for enforcing our rules,” he added.