CAIT to launch campaign to curb single use plastics; urges govt to take suitable measures for people employed in this industry

New Delhi, Aug 26 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat on Sunday has motivated many sections of the society to take strict measures to curb usage of single use plastic.

In a letter sent to Union Environment Minister Prakash Javedkar, the Confederation of All India Traders’ (CAIT) said it will launch a nationwide campaign from September 1, 2019 with the association of about 40 thousand Trade Federations, Chambers & Associations across country to stop single use plastic among trading community.

Through this campaign CAIT estimates reaching out to 7 crore traders.

CAIT National President B C Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal in the communication to Javedkar said, “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 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.”

CAIT assured that having 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 September 1,2019,” CAIT said.

However, Bhartia and Khandelwal have urged 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 October 2.

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 effect on industry and employment.

They have also suggested that Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2018 should be made effectively applicable in the country.

CAIT has sought Javedkar’s attention towards large number of units producing plastic and providing employment to lakhs of people in the country.

Meanwhile, the traders’ apex body appealed to the government 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 in the national capital to draw a roadmap and chalk out strategy to for its national campaign.

It 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 also accordingly. (KNN Bureau)