RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, July 4: Those associated with the plastic industries in Jharkhand are not likely to get any support from state government or trade body at the time when single use plastic has been completely banned from July 1 across the country, including Jharkhand.
Director (industries) Jitendra Kumar Singh and President of Federation of Jharkhand Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) made it clear in an exclusive talk with Lagatar24.com.
“We unlike the pollution control board, do not have any product specific study whether it is plastic or aluminum or iron. Thus there is no plan so far to help those affected due to complete ban on single use plastic,” Singh clarified when asked whether the government has any plan to support those industrialists getting affected due to ban on single use plastic.
Like Singh, Taneja also appeared untouched taking the problem of those associated with single plastic industries.
“Industrialists are expected to adapt with the changing situation. When the government makes a decision, it must affect someone. Apart from this, the situation has not come all of a sudden and those associated with the industries were given sufficient time to wind up. Thus I do not think any special attention is required to be given by the trade body on the issue,” Taneja said, showing little interest in talking about giving any special support to industrialists associated with the business.
Taneja, however, saw possibility in the face of challenge. “Those associated with the industry with single use plastic can switch over to other businesses of the same nature as substitutes have started coming. It is a fact that substitutes are more costly but if we are interested in giving a better environment to future generations, we need to pay extra now,” Taneja said.
Issuing an order on behalf of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board recently, it has been instructed that legal action will be taken against those who are seen using plastic. Following the order issued by the Central Government, the State Control Pollution Board directed the municipal team and the people of the district administration to launch a campaign to ban the use of plastic items from July 1, 2022, in which people will also be made aware and if needed, punishments will also be imposed.
Ranchi Municipal Corporation has also made full preparations. It has planned to impose fines ranging from Rs 100 to 25 thousand for use of plastic.
Pawan Sharma, former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and a big businessman of the city, feels that the decision of the government is correct, but at the same time also worried about taking the problem of those associated with the business of plastic. According to him, a business of about Rs 100 crores is related to plastic in the whole of Jharkhand and the government must do something for those associated with the business and likely to get affected.
