Question : BAN ON PLASTIC AND POLYTHENE BAGS

(a) whether the Government is aware that production and import of plastic and polythene has gone up considerably in the recent years;

(b) if so, the details in this regard during the last three years;

(c) whether the Government is also aware that use of plastic and polythene is harmful to human health;

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to impose ban on production and import of those items through legislation;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore; and

(f) the steps proposed to be taken to save the people from ill-effects of these items?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) & (b) As per the information furnished by the Indian Center for Plastics in the Environment, the production and import figures of plastics including polyethylene during the last three years are as follows:

Year	Production	Imports (In thousand tonnes)
2001-2002	3917	302	2002-2003	4072	438	2003-2004	4467	475