The Meghalaya Prohibition of Manufacture, Sale,Use and Throwing of Low Density Plastic Bags Act, 2001, Act, No. 4 of 2001

 
The 23rd April, 2001 

 
No. LL (B) 16/99/13- The Meghalaya Prohibition of Manufacture, Sale, Use and Throwing of Low 
Density Plastic Bags Act, 2001 (Act, No. 4 of 2001) is hereby published for general information. 

 
MEGHALAYA ACT NO. 4 OF 2001 

 
(As passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly) 

(Received the assent of the Governor on the 19th April, 2001 
(Published in the Gazette of Meghalaya, Extra-ordinary issue, dated 23rd April, 2001) 

 
THE MEGHALAYA PROHIBITION OF MANUFACTURE, SALE, USE AND THROWING OF LOW 

DENSITY PLASTIC BAGS ACT, 2001 
An 
Act 

To provide for prohibition manufacture, sale, use and throwing of low density plastic bags in Meghalaya 
and to make provisions for those matters connected therewith. 
 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Meghalaya in the Fifty second Year of the 
Republic of India as follows:- 

 

Short title extent and 
Commencement  

 

1. (1) This Act may be called the Meghalaya Prohibition of manufacture, 
Sale, Use and Throwing of Low Density Plastic Bags Act, 2001  

(2) It extends to the whole State of Meghalaya.  

(3) It shall come into force on such date as this State Government may 
by a notification in the Official Gazette appoint.  

        Provided that the State Government may appoint different data 
for different places or areas.  

 
 

Definitions 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,  
 
(a) “Act” means the Meghalaya Prohibition of Manufacture, Sale, Use 
and Throwing of Low Density Plastic Bags Act, 2001  
 
(b) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Act 2 of 
1974);  
 
(c) 1

 

“Low Density Plastic Bag” means a basis in whatever it may be 
made of plastic, the thickness of which is less than 40 (forty) microns 
and includes any other such low density plastic container for carrying 
things; and  
 
(d) “State Government” means the Government of the State of 
Meghalaya. 

                                                 
1 Substituted by Act No.6 of 2004 Section 2 .Earlier the words read as “Low Density Plastic Bag” means a bag, 
in whatever form may be, made of plastic the thickness of which is less than twenty microns and includes any 
such low density plastic container for carrying things; and  
 

 



 

 

Prohibition of 
manufacture, sale, use 
and throwing of low 
density plastic bag  

3. 
 

No person shall  
(a) Manufacture bags made of low density plastic;  
(b) Sell or use bags made of such low density plastic for storing, 

carrying dispesing or packing of food stuff and other articles; 
and  

(c) Throw, or discard low density plastic bags in public places 
including road drains and parks. 
  

Power of Government to 
authorise officers to act 
under this Act  

4. 1) The State Government may by notification in the Official 
Gazette authorise one or more persons who will be competent 
to act under the Act.  
 

2) Every person authorised under Clause (1) shall deem to be 
public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian 
Penal Code.  

 
Penalties  5.        Any person who contravenes the provision of the Act shall be 

punishable with fine which may extend to rupees one hundred and 
in case of second and subsequent offence with a minimum fine of 
rupees two hundred which may extend to rupees five hundred.  
 

Courts competent to try 
offence under this Act 
and take cognizance of 
offence  
 

6. 1) No court other than the Court of Judicial Magistrate of the First 
Class shall take cognizance of any offences under this Act.  

2) No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act, 
except on a complaint in writing by an authorised Officer.  

 
Offence to be cognizable 
and bailable  
 

7. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, offences under 
this Act shall be cognizable and bailable.  
 

Offence under the Act to 
be tried summarily  
 

8. All offences under this Act shall be tried summarily in the manner 
provided for summary trial under the Code.  
 

Compounding of offences  
 

9. The State Government or any person authorised by it by general or 
special order in this behalf may either before or after the institution 
of the proceeding compound any offences made punishable by or 
under this Act.  
 

Power to make rules  
 

10. 1) The State Government may, subject to previous publication, 
make rules to carry out the purpose of this Act.  

2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid before the 
Legislative Assembly.  

 
 

 

Shri. L.M.SANGMA,  
Deputy Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya,  

                                                                                        Law (B) Department 
 

 

THE UNDERLINED TEXT INDICATES THE INSERTION/SUBSTITUTION OF THE SUBSEQUENT 
AMENDMENTS TO THE MEGHALAYA PROHIBITION OF MANUFACTURE, SALE, USE AND 
THROWING OF LOW DENSITY PLASTIC BAGS ACT, 2001 (ACT NO. 4 OF 2001) AMENDED AND 
UPDATED UPTO THE YEAR 2004 OF THE ACT NO. 6.