My Views On Plastic Ban

Aarya Sawant - XA

23rd June 2018, another historical day after demonetisation. The day of plastic ban in Maharashtra. Plastic, the companion since 1907, that turned into a backstabber. It was on its way to backstab nature.

But we are safe now as the government of Maharashtra has banned plastic. I mean to say partially safe. Yes, because we just banned plastic but what is the substitute for it. That we don’t know. Many of us just don’t want to know. We are just happy with the plastic ban just as we were quite happy using it. Who cares for the consequences?

'The Rome was not built in a day.' This phrase completely suits the current situation. The decision was surely appreciable. No doubt about it. But to implement some decisions we need  backup plans. And unfortunately the government forgot to have their backup plan ready. There were many new heads, who were trying to peep out , with a solution for plastic, a substitute . But no one paid attention to them due to many personal and political reasons. Actually there is a phrase in Marathi whose English translation is: One starts digging the well after he feels thirsty. And so, what is the solution now? There are no loopholes to come out of this issue. Instead of thinking now, we should have thought of it before.

Many people are still confused about the ban. No one knows which plastic is allowed and which is not. Even the officers that are charging us are not knowing, which plastic is actually banned. According to the decision of government 2.5mm plastic, polythene bags, plastic bottles and low grade plastic is banned. Whereas the plastic bags of good quality for e.g. The one we get in branded clothes stores, the plastic which is used for the packaging of medicines are still allowed. But still we maybe charged due to ignorance.

Due to this sudden decision the hotel businesses had to face a lots of loss. Even the fine is much too high at this stage. If proper substitutes would have been made available then the fine was surely understandable. Therefore, this decision seems to have just constructed a new way for the municipal officers to earn some easy money. Some are just on a rampage, charging the innocent public unnecessarily.

Yes, the decision was for the welfare of people and nature. But the way to implement it was not at all correct .