Date:27/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/27/stories/2005082701021900.htm

Back Plastic manufacturers to meet Maharashtra CM

Our Bureau

MIXED RESPONSE: A boy looking for plastic bags and bottles in Mumbai on Friday. The Maharashtra Government has banned the use of plastic bags in the State. While citizens have welcomed the move, plastic manufacturers' association is sore over the blanket ban. - Paul Noronha

Mumbai , Aug 26

THE All India Plastic Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) will represent the plastic manufacturers of Maharashtra before the Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, in the coming week and explain their position on the ban on plastics bags.

"If the Government does not climb down on its position, we will seek legal counsel," Mr Harpal Singh, President, AIPMA, told Business Line.

Maharashtra has about 900 plastic manufacturers with annual turnover of about Rs 1,000 crore and the ban will directly affect 25,000 people who work in this sector, Mr Singh said.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), despite having no official notification from the Government, has started harassing plastic manufacturers and dealers duringraids, he alleged.

"We are following good business practices," Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh blamed MCGM for poor drainage and waste disposal systems for causing water logging following the July 26 rains. Lack of adequate urban infrastructure and violation of Coastal Regulation Zone regulations were among the main reasons for water logging in the city, he said.

Mr Singh said the ban would directly affect milk distribution system in the State as the government does not have enough milk bottles to replace the existing system. This could also lead to hike in milk prices by Rs 4 a litre, he said.