In yet another flip-flop, the government has decided to defer its earlier decision to ban single-use plastic items in the Union Territory from March 1.
A highly-placed source told The Hindu, that a decision was taken on Friday to defer the decision following the representations given by the Plastic Manufacturers Association. The cabinet on January 13 had decided to ban manufacture, sale and use of single use plastics such as carry bags, plates, disposable cups, sheets, straw, expanded polystyrene foam (popularly known as thermocol) and water pouches in the Union Territory from March 1.
The move was opposed by traders and plastic manufacturers but had found a good amount of support among residents associations and from even a section of retail outlets. The All Pondicherry Plastic Trader and Manufacturers Association (APPTMA) was of the view that the ban would culminate in the closure of 200-odd plastic manufacturing units and would render hundreds of people jobless.
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Public opinion
In fact, the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) had received more than 3,000 letters from people working in plastic making companies against the ban when PPCC called for public views 15 days ago. The PPCC also received several letters from residents’ associations welcoming the decision to ban single-use plastic carry bags.
“It’s disappointing to see the government making a retreat every time they make an announcement. The ban on plastics is almost similar to the case with the helmet issue,” said a retired government doctor. Rajith, a resident of Saram, said the cabinet should have taken the pros and cons before going public about the ban announcement. “Now what is the point in saying that it will be implemented after a few days,” he said.
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According to Probir Banerjee, a representative of PondyCan, the ban was imposed after proper consultations. Unfortunately, the decision was not brought into effect, he added.
Responsible humans
On the importance of banning plastic, Mr. Banerjee said “Like we are taught to be responsible citizens of a country, we must learn to be responsible human beings of this planet. Someone had rightly said we don’t eat what we cannot digest and the earth cannot digest plastics,” he added.
Several traders had also started packing materials using alternate materials. According to a trader on Mission Street, he had procured paper bags for double the price of plastic ones.
“Earlier I used to buy large sized non-woven plastic carry bags for ₹8.35. After the government’s decision, I stopped buying plastic bags and instead procured paper bags for ₹16.45 per piece,” he said.