Maharashtra govt's plastic ban may render nearly 300,000 people jobless

The plastic ban order of the Maharashtra government is likely to make nearly 300,000 people jobless as industry urged the government to come out with a solution, an industry official said.

"The ban on plastic bags has derailed the production, packaging and supply schedules of grains, bakery and clothing industries. Many units are on the verge of closure in the absence of basic packaging material - plastic bags and we fear that nearly 300,000 people employed may become jobless. We urged the Maharashtra government to come out with a solution to save the industry," Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Lalit Gandhi said.

"We met and petitioned the minister for environment - Ram Das Kadam on Monday and sought waiver on packaging material till alternatives are identified and made available" Gandhi said.

We have urged the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to treat food grains and all food items including fruits and vegetables at par with milk and extend the repository (50 paisa per bag) scheme on them. Failure to act immediately will cause untold misery to all. This may not yield commensurate gains to the environment as envisioned by the plastic ban notification, Gandhi said.

"The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to file its reply by April 9 and hopefully will rule on our petition seeking a stay on this ban on April 11," Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association vice president Ravi Jasnani said.

"In Mumbai alone over 680,000 readymade garments pieces for exports are stuck on account of non-availability of transparent plastic bags for packing," Clothing Manufacturers Association of India chairman Rajesh Masand said.

The state on March 23 had issued the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products notification that banned the manufacture, use, storage, distribution, sale, import and transportation of all kinds of plastic items. The ban covers a wide range of articles made of plastic and thermocol, including, bags, dishes, cups, glasses, bowls, forks, spoon, straw, containers, small PET bottles and decoration items.