Maharashtra plastic ban to result in loss of 3 lakh jobs and Rs 15,000 crore, says Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association

Mumbai: The state-wide plastic ban, including carry-bags and thermocol by the Devendra Fadnavis government, will result in loss of up to Rs 15,000 crore and nearly 3 lakh jobs, says the plastic manufacturing industry. [caption id=“attachment_4584461” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Civic workers in Thane inspecting shops after the plastic ban in Maharashtra. PTI[/caption] “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,” Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association of India’s general secretary Neemit Punamiya told PTI on Sunday. Nearly 2,500 members of the association are left with the no option but to shut shops following the ban, he added and termed the ban as “discriminatory”. On 23 March, the state announced a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PETE bottles and thermocol items. The government had given three months time to dispose off the existing stocks, which ended on 23 June. Industry insiders have said the job losses from the ban will impact the state’s GDP, and also increase banks’ bad loans from the plastic sector. While retailers across the megapolis have said heavy fines for violating the bank will make them financially un-viable and force them to turn away many customers, consumers have complained of inconvenience, and wondered whether the ban makes any sense. 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.