A delegation of traders led by BJP MLA Raj Purohit held a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday and suggested that the plastic ban be postponed till December 2019.
Mr. Purohit, MLA from Colaba, said that a joint committee of officials, traders and environment experts should be formed to make alternatives available in the market by December next year. Mr. Purohit said, “The ban is a good move, but no alternative arrangements have been made. It is causing people a lot of inconvenience.”
Mr. Purohit said that the fine for violating the ban was very steep and the fine amount should be only between ₹100 and ₹500. He said, “There is lot of resentment among the people and traders about the steep fine. It should be revised.”
Mr. Purohit also demanded that the government provide financial assistance to plastic manufacturers to encourage recycling of plastic. He said, “The Chief Minister has promised to look into our demands.”
The Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday claimed that the government’s decision of banning plastic was a pretext for filling its pockets rather than saving the environment. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “The government did not conduct a study before imposing the plastic ban. It played into the hands of multinational companies targeting small businesses. An expert committee should be formed to reconsider the decision. Till such a report is submitted, no penal action should be taken.”