GOVT. OF RAJASTHAN SHOULD RECONSIDER DECISION TO BAN PLASTIC BAGS 

It has been reported that Govt. of Rajasthan is planning to ban plastic bags w.e.f. 01/08/2010.  This again is an ill advised soft option because it has not taken into account the scientific facts nor has it considered the adverse impact on the environment by the ban on plastic bags. 
Clearly bans do not serve any purpose other than encouraging corrupt practices. Implementation of ban is always problematic due to conflicting interest. 

Furthermore, there is no comparable substitute to plastic bags  because of its good characteristics of being economical, light weight, reusable, all weather proof and its ultimate recyclability. 

State Govt.  will not be able to ensure adequate availability of substitutes which  could cost more and ultimately harm the environment in an irreparable way. 
If one takes into account the totality of the matter, plastic bags are not only helping  conserve forest ( which are to be cut for making paper thus  injuring the environment),  they also help to save resources as used plastic bags can be recycled creating additional employment avenues. 
Many studies have shown use of substitute like paper bags would create more environmental problem than can be imagined.   

The central government more than once has (in answer to Loksabha question s) reiterated that there are no plans to ban plastic bags across the country.  The real problem has been identified as the   environmental clutter created by casual throwing of used plastic bags by common man due to poor littering habits.   The problem gets worse due to in-efficient working of local bodies who cannot ensure regular proper cleaning,  segregation and disposal of recyclable waste like plastic.   

In order to increase efficiency of the civic bodies MOEF Govt of India had circulated Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling ) Rules 2000 which if implemented can ensure that no non-biodegradable waste would reach land fill and would be put to alternate use by recycling for making other products which would conserve resources and generate additional employment avenues.  In fact, this is the thrust area which should be focussed on by the state government rather than imposing ban. 

This association has forcefully suggested to Govt. of Rajasthan to reconsider their decision of banning plastic bags taking a holistic view of the matter. 

We can only hope saner counsel would prevail and the proposed ban will not be imposed.  

Association’s Activities 

Proposed ban on Plastic Bags from August 2010 by State Govt. Rajasthan  

AIPIA request Chief Minister, Govt.  of Rajasthan  to take a relook 

Learning from various news report that Govt of Rajasthan was proposing to ban plastic bags in the state w.e.f. August 2010, AIPIA has taken up the subject with Shri Ashok Gehlot , Hon’ble Chief Minister  of Rajasthan vide Letter No. AIPIA / 05 / 2010 dated 26/04/2010 for revisiting the subject considering the ground realities.  Text of the letter is printed below for information: 

“We referred to various news reports that have appeared in popular Dailies reporting that   Govt. of Rajasthan  proposed to ban plastic bags w.e.f. 01/08/2010. ( Copy of one such report which appeared in Dainik Bhaskar is enclosed for reference. ) 

If what has been reported is true, we deem the same to be  unfortunate and  an ill advised  decision.   
Plastic being inert material, plastic bags do not pollute per se.  However, in our observation the real problem is of environmental clutter,  caused by casually thrown used plastic bags by the common man due to bad littering habits.   The problem get compounded due to less than efficient working of civic bodies,  who fail to continuously collect, segregate and dispose of varieties of   municipal solid  waste including plastic  which constitute 5% of the same and plastic bags being hardly of the order of  1%. 

Plastic bags are popular all over the  world due to their economy, convenience, reusability,  all weather proof-ness besides their being light weight high strength and ultimately recyclable.  There is no comparable alternative to plastic bags either paper, cloth or jute.

Further,  plastic bags are really environment friendly because they help to conserve forest, which are to be cut for  manufacturing  paper for making paper bags, which obviously injures the environment.   

In this context,  we are glad to enclose copy of a technical paper prepared by Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment (an autonomous body formed  under the order of Union Ministry of Environment & Forest) which gives a comparative picture of plastic bags viz-a-viz cloth, paper and jute bags. We are sure,  you will appreciate the detailed analysis done and in the light of the same revisit your decision to ban plastic bags.” 
 
 REGIONAL MANAGER, RIL INTERACT WITH AIPIA’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

hri Arun Rawal, Regional Manager  accompanied  with Mr. Vaibhav Gulati of Reliance Industries Ltd.(RIL)  interacted with Executive Committee  Members  in their monthly meeting held on 10/05/2010.  Gist of discussions was recorded in association’s letter No. dt.  addressed to Regional Manager, RIL.  Contents of which are printed below for  information of the members: 

“President welcomed the RIL officers and requested them to respond to the suggested agenda points:  

RM, RIL informed that  during the last financial year growth in PE demand / availability was around 13% whereas growth in PP & PVC was much higher at 21 & 27 % respectively.   With the commissioning of plant of IOC,  overall availability in the current and coming years may be better.  There was some shortage of raw material last year due to closure of Haldia Petrochemical Plant for revamping etc.  the gap was met by imports. 

During 2013-15,  new plant of Shri L N Mittal at Panipat was expected to be commissioned.   RIL will also  be adding capacity of 500,000 ton PE from a new plant located at Nagathon..   

RM RIL further indicated availability of material during this year from RIL will be same as obtained  last year.  RIL was exporting excess production of PP @ 40,000 ton per month to different countries in the world including China.  The shut down schedule of RIL plant will be informed to President / Secretary so that association’s  members could be kept informed. 

On behalf of AIPIA industries  suggestion for  keeping prices stable  for 30 days or  announcing pre-known  date of price change,  was repeated.  It was also enquired that what was the basis for RIL  prices,  whether the same were related to cost of production or international prices reflected by PLATT 

RM RIL informed that the sentiments and suggestion of the association have been conveyed to their Head Office and that the matter was beyond the jurisdiction of local office. 

As regards association’s suggestion for location of RIL godowns in central part of the city, the same was under examination  On behalf of the  AIPIA,  it was further suggested that to cater the demand of small buyers,  requiring up to one ton per week,  some arrangement could be made for deliveries at a central location or through godowns of consignee agent / distributors.  RM, RIL informed  due to certain past negative experience this option will not find favour with RIL management. 

Some of the members present pointed out  about irregular supplies from RIL which was affecting their business adversely.  RM RIL informed that due to sudden break down of the plant there was a temporary problem of meeting the demand.   

On behalf of  AIPIA,  it was further suggested that whenever there was shortage of material of particular grade, compared to demand, RIL should offer supply on pro- rata basis linking the same to last  6/12 months off-take.  If this could be done equitable distribution will  take place and grievance of non-supply curbed.  RM RIL noted the suggestion.” 

APPOINTMENT OF THE REGULATOR REGULATIOR FOR POLYMER INDUSTRY BY GOVT OF INDIA. 
CHIEF INFORMATION COMMISSIONER APPROACHED FOR CLARIFICATION 

In response to association’s application under RTI, Dept. of Chemicals  & Petrochemicals, Ministry of  Chemicals  & Fertilizers advised that information  sought on the subject of appointment of a regulator for Polymer Industry did not fall under RTI. 

Considering that subject of appointment of Regulator for Polymer Industries  is of immense importance for the down stream plastic processing  industry AIPIA had since taken up the issue with Chief Information Commissioner  for necessary clarification vide letter No. AIPIA/05/2010 dated 22/05/2010  contents of which are reproduced below for the information of the members: 

“This association has been suggesting to Dept. of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt.  of India for quite some time that a Regulator must be appointed for the Polymer Industry in order to discipline them.   

After having reminded the Secretary Dept. of Chemicals & Petrochemicals,  Ministry of  Chemicals  & Fertilizers several times, it was seen that neither the association ‘s references has been acknowledged  nor a reply was given  clarifying Govt .‘s position on the suggestion of the association.  As such,  the association decided to seek information,  in this regard,  under RTI Act. (Copy enclosed) 
 

 An application dated 31/03/2010  (copy enclosed ) was sent to PIO, Dept. of Chemicals  & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemical & Fertilizers,   for a reply.  Not having received any reply association had also written to Appellate Authority,  for causing a reply.( Copy of associations  letter No. AIPIA/08/2010 dated 03/05/2010  addressed to Appellate Authority is enclosed). 
 

To Association’s  surprise it has received a letter  No. 46016 / 14/ 2010-PC-II  dated 18/05/2010  from Section  Officer , Government of India, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Dept. of Chemicals & Petrochemicals,   which asserts that the subject does not fall under the ambit of RTI.  Copy of this letter is also enclosed for your observation.  

In the opinion of this association, the information  sought  in this regard should not be denied on flimsy grounds. 

As the subject matter is of continuing concern to the down stream plastic processing industry, we seek your confirmation that the requested information must be supplied by the PIO, Dept. of Chemical &  Petrochemical , Min. of Chemical &  & Fertilizers  under RTI. 

We shall be glad for an expeditious clarification on the subject.” 
 
 
ADVISE OF UNION MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT & FOREST TO PROMOTORS OF PAPER BAGS INSTGEAD OF PLASTIC BAGS 

We are recording below the gist of discussion held in Loksabha (29/04/2010) regarding the subject issue for information of the members. 

“During Loksabha question answer session on Pollution and Plastic bags, there were number of questions raised by all parties MPs including BJP, Congress, etc. who were demanding ban on plastic bags. Question Number 462 & 464 were answered by Minister of Environment Mr. Jayram Ramesh.    

The Minister flatly refused by saying it is Labour Oriented Small Scale Industries which give employment to at least ten people per Factory.  MPs argued for Paper bags usage and ban on plastics bags as it create lot of problems to environment. The Minister answered that we are trying to find out solution of wastage management with the help of Plastic Associations / Institutes with whom he has discussed. He also emphasized on encouraging plastic recycling.  

He discouraged usage of paper bags attributing to deforestation.”