Situation is becoming hopeless now. Haryana government has now implemented a blanket ban on plastic bags in Gurgaon along with Faridabad and Panchkula.

The government had previously banned bags of less than 30 micron thickness and 8×12 inch size.

The ban is now expanded. And the fines are heavy.

The ruling states that the manufacturer of infringing bags can be fined up to Rs. 50,000.

Shopkeepers offering them can be fined up to Rs. 5000.

People who are found littering them around can also be fined as much as Rs. 500.

The problem is that people who go out shopping have few alternatives. Government has failed to provide easy affordable alternative. They excel at implementing bans and fines. Why not create an industry offering cheap alternative packaging material and promote them before implementing a ban on the plastic bags just like that?