Nagpur: Dhrupatabai Gedam (83) and Dhanraj Wahane, a 38-year-old afflicted with polio, are among scores of unskilled people facing a bleak future following the
plastic ban. Both have been selling plastic plates, spoons, cups and glasses at Laxmi Bhuvan Square for a frugal livelihood, ever since these products came in use.
Before plastic made entry into their lives, Gedam and Wahane used to sell pattals (leaf plates) and banana leaves which are used during festival and other auspicious occasions by different communities. Over the years, the convenience, quick delivery, profits and customer choice made them add plastic products to their small business.
On Saturday afternoon when TOI did a random survey of markets, the two threw up the disheartening side of the ban which is now threatening their livelihood as well as that many others like them. While Wahane is physically unfit, Gedam can’t think of any alternate employment at this age.
Gedam was in a state of despair and shock to learn that she can’t sell plastic any more. Given her age, the NMC’s nuisance squad showed leniency and didn’t impose any fine on her. “I grabbed their feet, begging not to issue a challan. I had only Rs 10 which I would need to buy bus ticket to return home in the evening,” said Gedam, a resident of Kharabi.
However, the officials took away the cartons containing thermacol plates, cups and glasses, which Gedam said were worth Rs 1,200. “ I assured them that I would return these to the wholesaler, but they didn’t heed my request,” she said.
She had been earning Rs 200 per day with the help of plastic products. “I am the sole bread winner at home while my husband, son and his wife are unemployed,” she said.
Asked how would she make up for the loss of income, the octogenarian, having lost an eye to paralysis, said, “I don’t know. I can’t do anything else. Pattals are not much in demand and profit margins are low,” she said.
Wahane, Gedam’s neighbour, said they become ‘victims’ of the crackdown by chance as the officials had come for ‘Agrawal Disposals’, who had kept his shop closed in view of the ban.
“I suffered a loss of Rs600. I don’t know if switching to leaf plates would help us sustain our families. These items come from Andhra Pradesh and are costly too. With one plastic item, there was a guarantee of selling at least three to four more products which increased our income,” he said.
Wahane said he and other vendors at Gokulpeth market were confused about the nature of plastic ban. “We were told that only carry bags would be banned. But it isn’t so,” he said.
