KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the government to ensure complete ban on plastic bags thinner than 40 microns within 21 days.

A single bench of Justice Kumar Chudal gave the order for implementation of the 160th point of the budget statement on Sunday.

Stating that the budget statement provisioned for the ban on plastic bags (thinner than 40 microns) from the new fiscal year and orders to that effect were issued time and again, the SC directed the authority concerned to make an action plan of the work, duties and responsibilities within 10 days to implement the plan effectively.

The SC added that the authority concerned had additional 10 days for making arrangements such as consultation with stakeholders, policy formulation and implementation after the action plan is prepared.

“From the 21st day after this order is received, the provision of point 160 of the budget statement of 2021/22 concerning the complete ban on the production, import and use of plastic bags (thinner than 40 microns) will be implemented across the country,” the SC order read.

The SC has asked the Chief Secretary to set up a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the action plan and submit a report every two months.