Plastic ban: Manufacturers feel heat

Tribune News Service

Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, August 5

Terming the suicide by a trader, who had a plastic business, as the “beginning”, manufacturers and shopkeepers feel that the government acted in an autocratic manner by putting a ban on single-use plastic, thereby ending the businesses of lakhs of people. Instead of providing a viable solution or a substitute to single time plastic products, the government acted in haste affecting the businesses of lakhs of people, say businessmen.

Sunil Jain, a manufacturer, said: “I have spent crores of rupees to build this industry (plastic products) and suddenly they say it is banned. In Kesar Ganj Complex, shopkeepers are shattered. People have no other option. It is almost a month and the governments have not given a second thought over the plight of businesses that got ruined due to the dictatorial order,” rued Sunil Jain.

Rajiv Jain, General Secretary, FICO, who had a plastic manufacturing unit in city, had to shut the factory. “Thank God, I had another option to switch over to bicycle business but still I am badly hit. However, I am not able to come out of this shock. They are not giving us the way out and maintain use composite plastic. Sadly, there is no facility with the government to compost it as it needs industrial compost. If it is not compost in proper manner, it will emit methane gas, which is far more dangerous. Last but not the least, there is just one testing agency and it demands huge to test and even after that the report comes after 5-6 months. Are we saving the environment or further degrading it?” asked Jain.

There are many shopkeepers who are still selling single-use plastic products. One such shopkeeper said: “It is banned but I had the inventory. I’m putting myself in danger and selling plastic bags secretly by delivering at the doorstep of customers. People throw garbage in these bags but when it is not available, they throw in paper bags, which emits foul smell as the waste gets leaked. Sadly, we will be out of work once the stock ends,” rued the shopkeeper.

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