Traders may move court

Bhavika Jain

Retailers have set up a strident protest against the new notification by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) that says retailers must charge for any plastic carry bags given to customers.

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The Federation Of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) is even contemplating moving court if the civic body, that will implement the notification, goes ahead with the plan even after objections.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has, however, said the MoEF had asked for suggestions and objections before finalising the notification. “We are just going to implement the notification as directed by the central government from April. The opportunity to register suggestions and objections had already been given by the MoEF,” said deputy municipal commissioner (special), Rajendra Bhosale.

The Federation Of Retail Traders Welfare Association [FRTWA] has called the notification unacceptable and says it will affect business.

Viren Shah, president of FRTWA, said, “How can the authorities put the onus of minimising the use of plastic bags on us? Instead of upgrading their machinery to manage plastic waste, they are bringing out absurd laws.”

HT had reported about the notification on February 20.

The notification mentions that no plastic carry bags should be given free and that the civic body should, by notification, decide the minimum charge for a plastic bag.

The notification also says all kinds of plastic less than 40 microns will be banned. The civic body plans to implement this notification from April 4. It further says that the use of recycled plastic bags is banned.

Under the new notification, the civic body will have to also frame guidelines for setting up, operationalising and co-ordinating the waste management system which will include safe collection, storage and segregation, processing and disposal of plastic waste and to ensure that no damage is caused to the environment in the process.