The government has implemented a ban on plastic from July 1, but what is its effect? For now, it is only in name. That too in spite of the fact that out of 19 types of plastic items, if any one is caught with them, then one lakh rupees will be imposed on it. shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years. No concrete effect of such a strong threat has been seen anywhere in the markets of Delhi.
Even now, small shopkeepers are selling plastic bags, glasses, spoons, cups, saucers etc. All these things are being bought openly. What is the reason of this? That’s why people still don’t know that the ban has been announced. All politicians spend crores of rupees every day on their political advertisements. All the newspapers and TV channels do not hesitate to present our public servants as superheroes, but they do not find it important to promote a ban on such a deadly thing as plastic.
Politicians made laws, they did it very well, but hundreds of such laws are kept in abeyance. Our political parties and social organizations have more responsibility than the government to publicize the usefulness of those laws. If our sages, saints, clerics, priests etc. also become vocal, then crores of people will accept their words more than the law.
The use of plastic is such a crime, which we can term ‘gang murder’. It is difficult to stop it today but it is not impossible. The government should have promoted this ban fiercely and two-three months before the ban-day, 19 types of banned plastic factories would have been closed. Also suggest some alternatives to them so that unemployment does not spread. It is not that people will not be able to live without plastic. Till 70-75 years ago, instead of plastic, all people used paper, leaves, clothes, wood and earthenware.
Everything except leaves and paper things can be used repeatedly and for a long time. These things are cheap and accessible and they do not have any adverse effect on health. But now it is very important to stop the blind copying of the West running in independent India. If India wants, through her massive campaign, she can show the way to the whole world.
