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FOODANDBEVERAGE MATRIX
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April 2018 | Volume 1 | Issue 2
WILL PLASTIC BAN AFFECT FOOD INDUSTRIES? lakh people would lose their employment, with 2,150 plastic industrial units shutting down in the state. This will mean a loss of Rs 800 crore to the government in the form of GST revenue. Harshit Mehta – President of the Thermoformers and Allied Industries said that the government has given time of three to four months to manufacturers of plastic bottles therefore similar time
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n a series of Clean India Mission use of plastics and thermacol is banned in Maharashtra. State government in its recent orders said that all types of plastic packaging items have been restricted from sale, use and manufacturing. Decision has said to come as cities of Maharashtra have suffered blocked drains results in floods. The ban is applicable in the whole state of Maharashtra for manufacture, usage, transport, distribution, wholesale, retail sale and storage, and thermocol decoration, plastic bags regardless of thickness, non-woven polythene and disposable products made from plastic such as spoon, fork, bowl, glasses, plates have been banned by the government. Ban applies even on street food sellers, cinema halls, restaurants, railways, public places, places of worship, grocery shops etc. The Govt. will impose fine of minimum Rs 5,000 and if further mutilated the offence can fine Rs 25,000 and three months of jail, the act against the offenders has been divided into two parts. The first is a synthesize offence, by which the offender has admitted to have violated the law and will be fined accordingly. The second type is when the offender does not admit the violation, they will be taken to local police station and a case will be registered against them.
Food Industry Manufacturers are emphasized considering the plastic ban. Plastic ban may lead to loss of capital and resources for food processing industries. Government has provided a month for manufacturers, producers, sellers, traders, retailers, and users to finish the existing stock of banned items. They may either hand it over to the local government body for scientific disposal or through sale to an authorized recycler. Saheb Bajaj of Punjab sind Dairy Products pvt ltd , had discussed with, “All India Plastic Manufacturers association,” “Indian Instituite of Packaging,” and with President, of Federation of Sweet Namkeen Manufacturers, Virendra Jain, Rajendra Agarwal, Haldiram Nagpur, and Ajit Mota of Mota chips. “All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) has assured that they are already taking all necessary measures to protect the rights of packers and taking all opinions”, said Saheb. AIPMA raised strong opposition to it. They said it adversely impacted their business and also the state’s economy as the ban would affect other industries too. According to the AIPMA, the plastic ban will result in a loss of Rs 5,000 crore to the plastics industry. It also said at least four
should also be given to those engaged in manufacturing plastic bags etc. There are over 3,000 manufacturers of plastic bags in Maharashtra. The manufacturers are prepared to participate in Extended Producers’ Responsibility (EPR) to ensure that no plastic garbage is seen on the streets. “The use of paper bags will automatically encourage cutting of trees. Any new Contined to page no 7