Maharashtra CM has assured relaxation of plastic ban, claims CAMIT chief

NAGPUR: Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade (CAMIT) will be convening a meeting in Mumbai on June 30 to decide future course of action against the plastic products ban.

On June 25, a delegation of CAMIT led by its state president Dipen Agrawal met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai and informed him that nearly 2,500 members of the association were left with no option but to shut shop following government’s ban on plastic products. The association termed the ban “discriminatory.”

He pleaded with the chief minister for a three months postponement of implementation of ban. The CM assured the delegation to consider the plight of citizens, trade and industries of Maharashtra with open mind and told them to expect a three-month postponement on blanket plastic ban in three days.

Agrawal was confident the state government’s notification about relaxation will be issued in a day or two. “Since the ban was implemented, authorities have been targeting small shopkeepers and traders. Kirana owners, jewellery shops, general stores, gift shops, everyone is living under fear of raids and harassment. They are creating terror and panic among small shopkeepers,” he told the CM

They also pointed out the hardships being faced by common people, traders and manufacturers due to bringing the ban during ongoing rainy season. “Plastic is the most viable and durable option used worldwide for packaging and carrying. Solution for pollution problem lies in proper disposal as there is no practical alternative to plastic,” Agrawal said.

According to him, the ban was just covering up the failure of municipal corporations. “Ensuring garbage is properly segregated and recycled is the responsibility of civic bodies. Cleaning up garbage bins on roads is also their duty. They are failing to do so, leading to so-called ‘plastic pollution,” he alleged.

CAMIT expressed gratitude towards the CM for his assurance of postponement of plastic ban for three months.

8 fined for keeping banned plastic products

Nagpur: With the news of widespread action against selling or keeping plastic products ban in the city limits, shopkeepers have started keeping their shops shut. It was evident in Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s action on Wednesday. The special squad comprising zonal officer, sanitary inspectors and civic cops from nuisance detection squads could find only eight shopkeepers keeping banned products. In Hanuman Nagar zone, two shopkeepers were fined Rs5,000 and Rs 3,000 each for keeping banned products.

Similarly, Dhantoli and Ashi Nagar zones caught three traders in this regard and fines of Rs 5,000 each were recovered from them.