Bill providing for ban on plastic bags passed in Delhi Assy

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) The Delhi Legislative Assembly today passed a Bill providing for ban and sale of plastic bags in the state.

The Delhi Degradable Plastic Bag (Manufacture, Sales and Usage and Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2008, which provides that no person shall manufacture, stock, distribute or sell plastic bags made of virgin or recycled, degradable or non-degradable plastic bags, which are less than 8X12" (20X30 cm) in size and with thickness less than 40 microns, was passed by voice vote in the state Assembly.

The Bill, introduced in the House yesterday by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, also provides that the plastic bag manufactured out of virgin plastic shall be of natural or white colour.

As per the amended Bill, two new sections are being added whereas certain sections are being amended.

The House also passed a Bill for setting up of a University for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, which would be non-affiliating and teaching University in Delhi.

The new University, to be set up under Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University Bill, 2008, which was passed by the Assembly with a voice vote, would facilitate and promote teaching, research, incubation and extension work in pharmaceutical sciences and its application domains and achieve excellence.

The Planning Commission has consented for a proposal for establishment of a State University in Pharmaceutical Sciences in Delhi in order to provide effective and quality education especially considering the growth and development in this field.

The Assembly also passed a Bill providing for containing violence against medical personnel and damage to property in medicare institutions.

The Bill, introduced in the Legislative Assembly by Health Minister Yoganand Shastri yesterday, was passed with one amendment.

The Bill provides for punishment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine upto Rs 10,000 or both for those indulging in violence against medical personnel and damage to property in medicare institutions.

Speaking in the House, Health Minister Yoganand Shastri said the Bill comes in wake of recent incidents of violence at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Guru Gobind Singh Hospital.

The Opposition BJP, however, opposed the passing of the Bill