While plastic traders have heaved a sigh of relief following the State government’s decision to allow use of plastic bags in grocery stores, environmentalists have termed the move a dilution of the ban. Though State authorities have announced that small traders and retailers are now allowed to use plastic bags, no official notification had been issued yet.
Stalin D., an environmentalist, said, “The State government has relaxed the ban too soon. Making one exception will only lead to more exemptions in the future. Before people could find alternatives to plastic, the State government crumbled.” However, small traders welcomed the moved and demanded that the exemption be extended to all retail stores. Restaurants associations have also expressed relief after the State directed civic bodies not to penalise them for using plastic food containers and garbage bin liners.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the State’s high powered committee was held on Wednesday. They were advised by an expert committee to exempt plastic for packaging in grocery stores. This came after traders reported trouble packaging rice, pulses and other items. They even made a representation before senior State officials.
The committee gave a big relief on Thursday night. The decision was announced to allow plastic bags for retail packaging albeit with riders. The conditions include mentioning the source on the plastic bags, use of plastic above 50 microns and setting up recollection and recycling mechanisms.
Ramnik Chheda, president of Mumbai Grain Dealers Association, which represents 10,000 Kirana store owners, said, “This is a big relief to Kirana store owners as we had trouble packaging groceries. We are thankful to the government. We don’t mind the conditions as we will buy back plastic from people and give it for recycling. Our next plea is to exempt bigger bags that are used to carry items more than 5 kg.”
Retailers, however, are not a happy lot. Viren Shah, president of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, which represents 3.5 lakh retailers, said, “This is discriminatory. The State government should not divide the retail sector which also includes imitation jewellery and garment vendors. We need to pack and re-pack several items in these transparent bags. They are crucial to protect garments from water.” Mr. Shah said the exemption would benefit only a fraction of the retail sector.
Restaurant owners also criticised the BMC for harassing them for using high quality food containers though they were exempted from the ban. Santosh Shetty, president, Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, said, “We should be given permanent exemption. How will people get fresh food? Non-plastic containers are expensive. Carrying tiffins is not convenient.”
