State deputy secretary (forest and environment) T Manihar Singh issued the order in this regard on (Saturday) August 19, said an official source Monday.

The ban order was issued two month after Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh announced banning of use of polythene bags while launching the “Segregation at Source” campaign on World Environment Day.

The order to completely ban use of plastic carry bags was issued under section 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rule, 2016 notified by the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change on March 2016.

State government has the report of rampant use of plastic carry bag which were below the prescribed thickness, which is, less than 50 microns in thickness under the rules. Such plastic materials are hazardous to the environment and harmful both to the human-being and animals, the order stated.

While issuing the order, it cautioned that anybody found dealing in or using such polythene/plastic carry bags would be punished under section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1966.

Under the Act, anybody who fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made or orders is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine of Rs one lakh or both.