The state-wide plastic ban in Maharashtra, which includes carry-bags and thermocol by the Devendra Fadanvis- led state government, will result in a loss of up to Rs 15,000 crore financially and nearly 3 lakh jobs, according to estimates by the plastic manufacturing industry.
Neemit Punamiya, general secretary of Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association of India was quoted by PTI, “The ban imposed by Maharashtra from Saturday has hit the industry very hard and the plastic industry is staring at a loss of Rs 15,000 crore, leaving nearly 3 lakh people jobless overnight.”
Terming the ban as discriminatory, Neemit mentioned that nearly 2,500 members of the association are left with no option but to shut their shop following the ban.
The Maharashtra state government, on March 23rd announced a ban on the manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials including spoons, plates, PET bottles and thermocol items. The government had given three months’ time to dispose of the existing stocks, which ended on June 23.
The association believes the job losses from the ban will impact the state’s GDP, while also increasing banks’ bad loans from the plastic sector. The job losses in the industry from the plastic ban will compound misery on the already fragile job market.
While retailers across the state will be financially handicapped to use plastic owing to the heavy fines being imposed, the consumers are unhappy with the inconvenience being caused to them and even questioning the ban.
The civic authorities have imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for the first-time offenders and Rs 10,000 for the second-time offenders. Those who violate the ban for the third time will face a fine of Rs 25,000, along with a three-month imprisonment.
