The Devendra Fadanvis government has recently implemented a ban on the state of Maharashtra. While the plastic industry had branded it to be a ‘retrogade step’ it has hit the same very bad. Up to Rs 1500 crore and nearly 3 lakh jobs have been lost. The Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association of India’s general secretary Neemit Punamiya said that “Nearly 2,500 members of the association have left with the no option but to shut shops following the ban”. He also branded the term to be discriminatory.
The ban is also presumed to entail a drop in the state’s GDP and also increase bank’s loans from the plastic sector. Retailers across the state have said that heavy fines for violating the bank will make them financially nonviable and force them to turn away many customers, consumers have complained of inconvenience and wondered whether the ban makes any sense.
The ban was the law panel of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rejected the civic body’s demand to reduce the minimum fine proposed for violating plastic ban from Rs 5000 to Rs 200. With the rejection, people carrying banned plastic items will be fined from Rs 5000 to Rs 25,000.
The lack of alternatives have plagued the traders. The association of retailers in Mumbai on Monday threatened to go on a strike to protest against the plastic ban in the state if their demands are not met by 26th June. The traders want the government to postpone the ban till the end of the monsoon and allow grocery stores to buy plastic from consumers.
Medical colleges and hospitals in the city are also complying with the civic body’s directive and informing patients and their relatives about the ban.