New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI): In a major environment-friendly move, the Delhi government will impose a blanket ban on usage and manufacturing of plastic bags in the next two months and those violating it could face imprisonment up to five years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or both.

The ban is being imposed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 under which storage as well as sale of plastic bags will also be considered an offence.

The government has issued a draft notification seeking suggestions as well as objections, if any, to the move from the stakeholders till November 20 following which a final notification will be issued imposing the ban.

According to the draft notification, no person including shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers and hawkers will be allowed to sell, store or use plastic carry bags for supply of any goods.

"No person shall (be allowed) to manufacture, store, import, sell or transport any kind of plastic carry bags (including that of Poly Propelene, Nonwoven fabric type carry bags) in the whole of National Capital Territory of Delhi except for export purposes," the notification said.

The use of plastic cover/pouch to pack magazines, invitation cards, greeting cards will also be prohibited.

However, the ban will not be applicable for containers used for packing food material, milk and "bags that constitute or form an integral part of the packaging in which goods are sealed prior to use", said the notification.

The Delhi Cabinet had in April decided to go for the blanket ban, considering that a ban imposed on use of plastic bags in January 2009, which did not include manufacturing activities, had not given the desired results.