Ban on plastic bags in Agra to incur losses of Rs 120 crores annually

#health #environment #plasticbags Uttar Pradesh government has taken a decision to ban the manufacture, sale, purchase and use of polythene bags across the state and, businessmen apprehend that the ban will cause losses of at least Rs 120 crore per year in Agra, businessmen in the city said. In their opinion, the blanket ban was introduced hastily and it will hit not only the small businessmen but will ruin vegetable-sellers and other vendors like street food sellers and other small-time vendors.
The state government had announced the curb following a November 18 Allahabad high court order calling for such a restriction and the implementation is likely to be with effect from January-end.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 20 December 2015.

As indicated by Agra Plastic Association, the polythene bags are not produced in Agra. However, around 15 polybag wholesalers operate in the city and there are a number of retailers who are based in all major markets. The polybag sale business is pegged at Rs 10-11 crore per month which will work out to losses of between Rs 120-130 crore per fiscal for plastic bag sellers.
While appreciating the harmful effects of polythene bags because they impact both people's health and the environment, it would have been better for the state government to have first restricted bags measuring below 50 microns in thickness before bringing in a complete curb.
That way, it would have allowed traders to switch over to other businesses while also reducing the adverse effects of polythene bags from the present level to some extent.

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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