The government denied it was sleeping over environmental concerns facing the country but denied that it was mulling a blanket ban on plastic bags as it was equally aware about its employment impact.

Replying to a host of queries over the issue where plastic bags has been causing widespread environmental damage, leading to death of cattle, choking agricultural production and lethal impact through radiation, Minister of Environment Jairam Ramesh informed the Lok Sabha that the government was taking various steps to address the concerns raised by members.

‘A moratorium has been placed on mining in Goa until an assessment report comes, CMs of Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have been approached on the illegal mining issue and carrying capacity of the local eco-system made the primary yardstick before a go-ahead is given to any project.’ He said all Supreme Court directives issued in this direction have been faithfully implemented besides suo motu action taken in any illegal mining case coming to the notice of the government.

UNI