January 18, 2020
We will ensure that common people and small traders are not harassed
There will be no relaxation in fine, he said. "We will ensure that common people
and small traders are not harassed. The city was flooded in the past due to
plastic (which chokes nullahs). Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said errant
manufacturers will face a strong action, but common people and small traders
will not be harassed. The decision was in discussion for nine months, Thackeray
said. The fine for the first-time and second-time offenders will be Rs 5,000 and
Rs 10,000, respectively. A third violation will attract a fine of Rs 25,000 and
a jail term for three months."Fish and other marine life is threatened by
plastic. If the next generation is to be saved, plastic has to be banned.
Seventeen states have already banned it and we are the 18th," the minister said.
The ban will mostly hit jobs in the plastic sector in Gujarat, he said, adding
"we will find alternative jobs for those who are affected in Maharashtra.
Plastic is found in nullahs. Representative Image (Photo: File) Mumbai: As the
Maharashtra government is set to enforce the ban on a variety of plastic items,
announced in March, from Saturday, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said errant
manufacturers will face a strong action, but common people and small traders
will not be harassed.Yuva Sena (Shiv Sena youth wing) chief Aaditya Thackeray,
who called on Kadam today, took a jibe at the ruling alliance partner Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) while speaking to reporters."Once they give the affidavit,
their proposals will be forwarded to the empowered committee which will consider
exempting them from the ban," the minister said.
The plastic ban was not
announced overnight, unlike demonetisation.. The government gave three months
for the disposal of existing stocks. Plastic is also responsible for emission of
sulphur gas, which is carcinogenic.He was speaking to reporters after a review
meeting with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officials. But strict
action will be taken again plastic manufacturers (if they break the law)," the
senior Shiv Sena minister said."There has been a lot of awareness about the
ban.Kadam said that 1,200 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in Maharashtra
everyday. Only wilful offenders would be worried about fines," he added."Anybody
caught bringing in banned plastic goods will be imprisoned for three months," he
said.
Kadam reiterated that 80 per cent of banned plastic items are manufactured
in Gujarat and smuggled to Maharashtra."The empowered committee of the
government, dealing with the ban, will discuss this issue and an exemption might
be given if Ganesh Mandals give an undertaking that these items will be later
handed over to the municipal corporation for disposal, he said.The state
government has imposed a ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and
storage of certain plastic materials."On the demand to exempt thermocol used for
decorations during Ganesh Festival, Kadam said, "Some Maharashtrian youths met
me and requested that they be allowed to use thermocol items in the festival
this year as they had already purchased these items.
An extensive awareness
campaign will be carried out in the next eight days to inform about banned
items, Kadam said.On March 23, the state government imposed a ban on
manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as
one-time-use PP
sheets bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items.
Retail packaging companies have been given an extension of three months to
submit an undertaking over recycling of plastic materials, he said
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