Punjab Pradesh Board Mandal raised demand to postpone ban on single use plastic

Ludhiana, July 4, 2022: Reacting to the ban imposed on single use plastic, the Punjab Pradesh Board Mandal (PPBM) has said that it is not "appropriate" to impose such a ban without giving an alternative.

Talking to media persons here today, the mandal's state general Secretary Sunil Mehra, district general secretary Surinder Aggarwal and district secretary Umesh Soni added that PPBM strongly opposes this ban. They vehemently demanded that this ban be kept in abeyance till the alternative is ready.

They further said that many products including plastic stick ear birds, balloon plastic stick, plastic flag, caddy stick, ice cream stick, thermocol, plastic cup-plate-glass, plastic packing material and invitation card made of plastic have become an integral part of the life of the common man.

Further, they said that the  PPBM  is in favour of keeping the environment safe and clean under all circumstances. But, it is necessary to find an alternative to these products which are used in daily life. For this, the central government will have to play an important role in creating alternatives to these products by promoting start-ups.

They also informed that a ban has been declared on the use of single use plastic under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and Section 3 (c) of the PWM Rule 2016. They pointed out that one crore MSME units of the country will be closed due to the ban. Three crore traders associated with single use plastic business will be unemployed.

They added that  PPBM fully respects this ban issued by the Central Government. But, it is also very important to ensure alternatives.

They also said that the use of single use plastic in India is negligible as compared to US, Europe and other countries. Online ecommerce companies, drug manufacturers, sharbat manufacturers, ice cream manufacturers etc. are making special use of it. The ban on single use plastic will also have an adverse effect on the business related to them.

They demanded that till a detailed discussion with the delegation of traders on all these issues and an alternative is found, this ban should be postponed at any cost.