Himachal Pradesh has banned disposable plastic products from today. According to our Shimla correspondent packaged drinking water will, however, not be affected by the ban. After imposing a complete ban on use of recycled and plastic bags in the state in the year 2009, today ban has been imposed on use of plastic cups, glasses and plates also. However keeping in view the tourism sector mineral water bottles and glasses have been exempted. Strict regulations have been formulated to deal with people using plastic products. Now, violators will be fined up to Rs. 5,000 under the law. The govt has also demanded from the central government to impose ban on use of metallic packaging material and other material being marketed in plastic packaging to check environmental degradation.