From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 3: After the enforcement of compulsory use of helmets by all two-wheeler riders and pillion riders across Karnataka, it is now the turn of ban on use of all non-essential plastics.

The State Cabinet, which met with chief minister Siddaramaiah in the chair, is understood to have decided to ban utilisation of non-essential plastics.

The ban on use of plastics, irrespective of its thickness, will come into force on the day of publication of a gazette notification.

The decision would lead to replacement of all non-essential plastics with eco-friendly materials across Karnataka.

The State Cabinet meeting took the decision to ban manufacture, distribution and use of plastic carry bags, irrespective of its thickness at its meeting in Bengaluru on Thursday.

The banned items are plastic carry bags, glasses, plates, cups, flags, buntings, flexes, banners, sheets used on dining tables in marriage halls.

The State Cabinet sought to ban goods manufactured from using thermocol and micro beads.

However, it has not banned plastic for water bottles, milk sachets, plastic bags used for growing nursery plants and for medical drips.

The State Government has maintained that the decision was taken following indiscriminate use of plastic bags, which was harmful to the environment.

The State Government had issued a draft notification in October last year inviting objections from plastic manufacturers for its decision to ban manufacture and use of all non-essential plastics products across the State.

The enforcement of ban on use of plastics is expected to give a boost to the manufacture and use of cotton and paper carry bags and thereby help the domestic cottage industry besides the members of a large number of non-governmental organisations and other rehabilitation centres, where the physically challenged persons are given work.