Patna, Feb. 24: The state government today banned the use of polythene carry bags with thickness of less than 40 microns in consonance with the rules framed by the Centre, applicable across the country from February 4.

The state government today told the Bihar Legislative Council that it was enforcing the ban to check the rampant use of polythene carry bags, which have become a menace for the environment.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the forests and environment portfolio, said: “The state government will strictly implement the rules framed by the Centre to check the rampant use of the plastic carry bags. The government, however, is also seriously contemplating blanket ban on the use of polythene bags in the state.”

Replying to a poser by Vinod Kumar Choudhary during question hour, Kumar said: “With the implementation of the new rules, customers cannot get carry bags free of cost, as it has been made mandatory for shopkeepers to charge for the bags. This has been done with a view to discourage the use of such bags.”

Modi added that carry bags made of recycled plastic would not be used for storing, carrying or packaging food stuff, before adding that each plastic carry bag will bear printed information such as name, registration number of the manufacturer and its thickness.

Asked about the impact of using polythene carry bags exceeding 40 microns, Bihar State Pollution Control Board senior law officer Bidyanand Singh told The Telegraph: “The thicker the carry bag (40 microns or more), more are the chances of re-cycling and hence, it poses the threat of pollution. Even ragpickers do not collect these polythene bags, as it cannot be resold and hence, non-destructible.”

Violation of these rules shall attract penal provisions under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, Singh said. “The new rules restrict the storing, packaging and sale of gutkha, tobacco or pan masala in sachets,” Singh said before adding that municipal authorities, instead of the district collector, have been entrusted with the job of implementing the provisions of the rules relating to use of polythene.