Ban covers plastic below 30 micron: Association

Plastic bags are not banned on the whole; only bags below 30 microns will not come inTO the market and the rest can be used as usual. This was the statement given by the Punjab Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association,which is running confused these days after the state government issued orders regarding plastic bags. Association Chairman M L Khurana said,“We have checked with the higher authorities and this is the clarification we have been given. More than 1,500 plastic bag units are operational in Punjab and majority consumption of bags is below 30 microns. We are telling all our members not to panic. They should only improve the quality of bags.”

General Secretary Sanjeev Gupta said,“The cost of plastic bags purchased by retailers will increase. They will have to pay 20 per cent more now. Polybags with less than 30 microns are very light and and with air pressure they fly here and there and cause problem by chocking drains. However,bags with more than 30 microns are heavier stuff and the problem is less with them.”

The manufacturers assured that all kinds of bags can be recycled but now onwards they will be making bags of 30 microns and above only. DC Rahul Tiwari too confirmed the order. “These instructions are to be followed from May 1 and we will make sure that no violation is done by the manufacturers,Tiwari said.”

The Association members also met Excise and Taxation Commissioner (ETC) A Venuprasad at his Patiala office. They were taken to him by Madan Lal Bagga,Vice-Chairman of the Trade Board. They pointed out that VAT on plastic bags is 8.8 per cent in Punjab while in neighbouring states it is not more than 5 per cent. The ETC assured them something would be done in this context,said Inderjit Singh Gola,vice-president of the Association.