The government of India needs to reconsider this insane rule.

Back in the 70s there used to be a joke based on songs by Bob Dylan and other such topical balladeers. The punch line was the moment the US government discovered that marijuana caused cancer they’d legalize it. Governments and all large systems, including corporate systems, behave in completely irrational ways much of the time. The recent experience in Mumbai established beyond any doubt that plastic bags are huge burden for urban systems to cope with. California’s city government calculated that it costs them 17 cents to collect and dispose off a plastic bag, so they’ve mooted a tax of 17 cents on plastic bags. That's in a place where people don’t just throw stuff all over the place. In India, we have no rules on how we organize our garbage and we believe that freedom means the right to litter. But instead of taxing these ghastly things, their manufacturers have been specially exempted from taxes if they use “recycled” plastic. The government of India needs to reconsider this insane rule. Do you know how we "recycle" plastic in this country? We melt it at high temperatures, releasing tons of toxic gases into the atmosphere. Recycling is great when you do it rationally, but not this way! See http://www.badlani.com/recycle to see an ecologically friendly way to recycle. Makes no sense. We live in a country that grows cotton and jute in abundance. Get yourself a nice stylish reusable cotton or jute bag for heavens sake. Discourage practices that pose as eco-friendly but aren't. What's the point of imposing emissions rules on cars and then encouraging the burning of plastics with another government ruling? Dumb! See http://www.badlani.com/bags to see what attractive choices you have. Say no to poisonous plastic. In fact say no to all plastic bags.