CAIT SUGGEST JAVEDKAR TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO STOP USAGE OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC

CAIT SUGGEST JAVEDKAR TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO STOP USAGE OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC

TRADE LEADERS CONFERENCE AT NEW DELHI  ON 29 AUGUST TO LAUNCH A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

 

Vijyender Sharma

Dharmshala---------------In furtherance of the call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th August,2019 which was further reiterated by him in his " Man Ki Baat" program aired on 25th August,2019,  the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in a communication sent to Union Environment Minister Shri Prakash Javedkar has assured the support of trading community to make it a mass movement in the Country. The CAIT has decided to launch a nationwide campaign from 1st September with association of about 40 thousand Trade Federations, Chambers & Associations across Country to stop single use plastic among trading community thereby reaching out to 7 crore traders.

 

CAIT National President Shri B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal in communication to Mr. Javedkar said that  Prime Minister has taken this initiative with all sincerity and he obviously wish to make it a mass movement and its success is largely dependent upon public private partnership with the Government. It is alarming that  the Country consumes an estimated 16.5 million tonnes, about 1.6 million truck full, of plastic annually. Of this, 43% is plastic manufactured for single-use packaging material that generate as a plastic waste. The the report further says that in all, 80% of total plastic produced in India is discarded which is a major threat to pollution in the Country.

 

Both trade leaders further said that being last mile connect with consumers and the public, the role of traders in the Country is very important to take this initiative down the line. We have decided to educate and aware the traders and consumers across Country about stoppage of singe use of plastic through an aggressive national campaign to be started from 1st September,2019.

 

However, Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal has urged Mr. Javedkar to take some immediate steps including a direction to be given to all Corporate Companies, Manufacturers, Packaging Industry etc not to use single use of plastic either in their production line or in packing of finished goods,  Production of plastic sheets less than 50 microns should be stopped immediately, Reasonable alternative products to single use plastics should be innovated and made available to the users so that usage of plastic bags etc. should be discontinued from 2nd October. They have also suggested that a Special Task Force comprising of senior officials, trade & industry representatives, plastic manufacturers should be constituted to understand the impact of stoppage of single use plastic and recommend remedial measures to the Government so that there should not be any adverse affect on Industry and employment. They have also suggested that Plastic Waste Management Rules,2018 should be made effectively applicable in the Country.

 

They have also drawn attention of Mr. Javedkar towards large number of units producing plastic and providing employment to lakhs of people in the Country. It is suggested that before taking any steps, the Government must take suitable measures or alternative measures so that such Industries may not be displaced and people employed in these Industries may not be unemployed.

 

The CAIT has convened a National Conference of Trade Leaders of all States on 29th August,2019 at New Delhi to draw a roadmap and chalk out strategy to for its national campaign to be started from 1st September and will be issuing an advisory to traders across Country not to use single plastic use bags instead as suggested by the Prime Minister they should promote cloth or jute bag for selling the goods and advise the consumers as well accordingly.