Maharashtra Govt bans use of plastic in Mantralaya

MUMBAI: Trying to be environment friendly, Maharashtra government decided to ban use of plastic in Mantralaya and at official programmes.

"The decision was taken at the State cabinet to ban use of plastic from Mantralaya and also from the official programmes of the government," an official from environment department said.

The idea was initiated by the environment minister Suresh Shetty to set an example before the state by banning the plastic in the secretariat, the official said.

The mantralaya officials and employees henceforth would be using files and bags made up of recycled papers instead of plastic. Flower bouquets given at the programmes would not have plastic cover, he said.

The Minister also proposed at the cabinet not to use crackers at official programmes. However, some of the important days like the Republic Day, the Independence Day and festivals were exempted from the decision, the official said.

However, a proposal of 'no honking' for the ministers to initiate a step to reduce noise pollution in the city was turned down by the cabinet.

It is difficult not to use horns and sirens at some crowded places, hence the cabinet rejected the idea, he said.