New Delhi (PTI) The Centre and the Delhi Government seem to be heading for a confrontation on the issue of use of plastic bags with the city authorities determined to enforce the ban on them imposed six months ago.

The Centre is not in favour of a blanket ban on the bags.

Disfavouring use of paper bags as an alternative to plastic as it would lead to cutting of trees, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, while replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, said "recycling of plastic, if carried out as per approved procedures and guidelines, may not be an environmental or health hazard."

However, officials in the Delhi Government said they were determined to rid the city from plastic bags and enforcement of the ban on these bags would continue as Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has already spoken to the minister.

The Chief Minister has conveyed to him that the city government was determined to carry on with its drive against the use of plastic bags, the officials said.

The Delhi government in January had imposed a ban on the use of plastic bags in hotels, hospitals and by small shopkeepers after a Delhi High Court order asking it to take immediate steps to ban plastic bags in shopping and marketing centres in the city.

Subsequently, the Delhi government issued directions to officials at district level to enforce the ban.

As per the Environment Protection Act, 1,986 violators could face imprisonment of five years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

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