CAIT HAS URGED EXTENSION OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAN ORDER- ALTERNATIVES ARE NOT AVAILABLE

Report manpreet singh

Raipur chhattisgarh VISHESH : CAIT National Vice President Amar Parwani, chairman Magelal Maloo , Amar Gidwani State President Jitendra Doshi , States Working President Vikram Singh Deo, Parmanand Jain , Vashu Makhija, state General secretary Suriender singh , State Working General secretary Bharat Jain, State Treasure Ajay Agrawal and state Midia Prabhari Sanjay Choubey informed the ban on single use plastic to be enforced from 1st July, 2022, is a pragmatic step and much needed to protect the environment but in the absence of equivalent alternatives it could prove to be a nightmare for trade & commerce in India. The business community of the Country stands with the Government on this critical issue but at the same time is of the view that sufficient preparations have not been done to provide an equivalent alternative to single use of plastic. In view of the mass usage of single use plastic throughout the Country, a complete ban will prove much detrimental for the trade and industry-said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in a communication sent to Union Environment Minister Mr. Bhupendra Yadav.CAIT National Vice President Mr. Amar Parwani & State President Mr. Jitendra Doshi in a communication to Mr. Yadav said that in view of the non availability of equivalent alternatives an extension to the enforcement of this ban for a reasonable time may be made and in the meantime the Government while holding discussions with the stakeholders may draw equivalent alternatives to avoid any inflation in the prices of the goods where plastic is used. They suggested that a task force may be formed comprising of the senior officials and stakeholders to draw out a timeline for implementation of this order and to explore equivalent alternatives. While assuring the support of the business community of the Country, the CAIT has sought an appointment with Mr. Yadav on this crucial issue.Mr. Parwani & Mr. Doshi said that since traders are the first connect point for the consumers and the public, they will have to face the consequences though the traders selling the products are acting merely as a component of the supply chain making things available for the public. However, 98% of single use plastic is used by MNCs, Corporate Manufacturers, producers, e-commerce companies, warehousing hubs, Industry and other types of production units either in their production line or packaging of finished goods. The traders are under compulsion to sell goods in whatever packing they receive from the Manufacturer or source of origin. Unless and until, these Companies and manufacturing units are not compelled to stop use of single use plastic either in the production line or in packing of finished goods, there will always be an occasion for usage of single use plastic at the consumer end. Therefore, effective steps should be taken to bind such manufacturers or places of origin to stop using single use plastic. Likewise equivalent alternate carry bags in place of plastic carry bags may also be made available so that plastic carry bags are not used for holding the goods.Both the trade leaders said that tens of thousands of industries and production units across the Country are engaged in plastic trade giving employment to crores of people in the Country. In the event of a stoppage of single use plastic, their business activities will come to an end which may also result in unemployment of all such people working in these companies. In this context, the Government should carve out some viable alternatives so that these industries and production houses may divert their business activities to such viable alternatives and employment is not disturbed.Mr. Parwani & Mr. Doshi said that it is a fact that if single use plastic is not used at production/ finishing stage or goods are not packed in single use plastic at the origin itself and are packed in alternative packaging automatically the usage of single use of plastic will come down to a drastic low level as the traders in supply chain will deliver the goods to consumers in alternative packaging. However, awareness and availability of alternative products are two core issues.ThanksSuriender singhState General secretaryMo. 7000147979