Won't spare plastic manufacturers, but will spare common man: Kadam

Fine for first offence is Rs 5,000, for the second offence it is Rs 10,000 and for the third it is Rs 25,000 and jail or both

Vowing to strictly enforce the plastic ban in the state from today, Minister for Environment Ramdas Kadam remarked that the government intends to strike at the root of the problem by banning production of plastic by manufacturers. Speaking to news persons at his Mantralaya office, he assured that the government will take enough precautions to ensure that the common man and small time traders are not harassed. He added that there will be no leniency shown in terms of charging fines on those breaking the law. Referring to the delegation of manufacturers of Ganesh festival decoration items made out of thermocol meeting him yesterday, Kadam stated the Marathi youths have demanded extension for the use of thermocol till the Ganesh festival is over.

He added that their demand will be put up for consideration by the High Powered Committee (HPC). Kadam stated that the youngsters argued that much before the government announced the plastic ban, they had begun preparations for the festival eight to ten months in advance and made investments. He further added that if the manufacturers of the decoration items assure that the items they produced will be recollected and deposited with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He added that the youths have assured him that from next year they shall be producing decoration items made out of cardboards.

Replying to queries over the fine to be charged, he said that for the first offence the fine will be Rs 5,000, for the second offence it will be Rs 10,000 and for the third offence it will be Rs 25,000 and with three months' jail term, or both.

Replying to further queries, he said that 80 per cent of the plastic items are manufactured in Gujarat and is brought here. Kadam remarked that he was not at all concerned about the manufacturing units closing down in Gujarat. He countered by wanting to know as to what these manufacturers would do when the Gujarat government enforces a similar plastic ban in their state. Kadam further argued that what would these manufacturers do if Prime Minister Narendra Modi says to implement the plastic ban?

Speaking to news persons, Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray stated that the decision to ban plastic was not taken overnight like the demonetisation and that preparations were on for the last nine months. He further remarked that only willful defaulters are worried about the fines. Speaking further, Kadam disclosed that the state generates about 1,200 metric tonnes of plastic waste per day and what is worst is that single use plastic takes about 700 to 800 years to decompose fully. He added that plastic waste is found in storm water drains and nullahs and was responsible for deaths of 200 odd people in flooding in Mumbai which was caused due to plastic bags clogging the storm water drains.

Kadam further stated that the plastic waste is now threatening to pollute our seas as big fish like dead whales with bellies filled with plastic are washed ashore. Even fishermen are finding plastic in their fishing nets rather than fish catch. He added that the government had sent its team of experts to six other states to study how they enacted the ban legislation and enforced it. Kadam added that already 17 states have banned it and Maharashtra is the 18th state. He further added that the government will once again issue advertisements on which plastic items have been banned.

Replying to queries about confusion over ban on wrappers used in food packaging, he added that the manufacturing companies have been given three months extension and will have to submit undertaking that the packaging material will be recycled. Earlier chairing the meeting of State Pollution Control Board officials, he directed officials to take prompt action against plastic manufacturing companies and units, file cases against the violating units and seal those units which are operating without licenses.