The Shiv Sena-led government will make Maharashtra single-use plastic free of by May 1, Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray told the legislative council on Friday.
In 2018, the Maharashtra government had imposed a ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials that included one-time-use bags, spoons and plates, among others.
"Single-use disposable plastic items such as carry bags, straws, cups and plates are already banned in the state. However, these items are still found in markets," Mr Thackeray said, responding to a question by Ramhari Rupnavar of the Congress.
"I have asked officials of my department to make Maharashtra free of single-use plastic items by May 1," he added.
Plastic bottles of soft drinks are exempt from the ban as of now, he said.
The government has also fixed the buying rate at Rs 15 per kilogram under buy-back policy of plastic items from conservancy workers, the minister said.
Former Bank Of Maharashtra Manager Missing After Rs 17 Crore Scam Surfaces In Kerala Man Bites Off Part Of Father's Thumb During Argument Over Property Near Mumbai: Cops Will Back Any Candidate Announced As Chief Minister Face: Uddhav Thackeray Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Two Sisters Returning From Court Run Over By Car In UP: Cops India Sends 1,400 kg Anti-Cancer Drugs To Syria In Humanitarian Assistance Police Arrest Suspect In Bihar Dalit Girl Kidnapping, Murder Case Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.