Chandigarh, April 16 (IANS) The manufacture, disposal and usage of polythene bags made of virgin plastic in Punjab will get tougher from May 1. Rigorous imprisonment up to three months would be given to the offenders.

 
 The state government says it will strictly implement the Punjab Plastic Bags Control Act. The prohibition will be on polythene bags of thickness more than 30 microns and size more than 8 by 12 inches and of a colour other than the specified colour.
 
 "After imposition of ban on polythene in New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, there has been a substantial improvement in the environment," a government spokesperson said.
 
 "Therefore, Punjab council of ministers has decided to strictly impose the ban from May 1," he added.
 
 "Indiscriminate use of polythene was causing multiple problems in society. Fertility of soil is also getting affected with the disposal of polythene in an unscientific manner that is also making the soil barren," he said.
 
 The spokesperson said the violation of the act by the manufacturer, user or unauthorised disposal of polythene would attract rigorous imprisonment up to three months.
 
 The Punjab government has issued instructions to deputy commissioners and officials of local bodies to implement this act strictly with effect from May 1.