Plastic ban by the govt will render thousands jobless

Kolkata, Aug 18(UNI) As the West Bengal Government slaps a ban on plastic bags below the thickness of 40 micron, Indian Plastic Federation says the move will render thousands jobless.

''The plastic industry in West Bengal, which employs 20,000 people in about 400 units, is in danger...there is a misconception that plastic carry bags cause environmental hazards,'' IPF President K.M. Tibrewala has said.

He said the plastic carry bag sector, considered to be a sunrise industry, had a Rs 1,600 crore turnover and a market size of 1,600 tons per month in the state.

'' We request the authorities to look into the matter in right perspective so that people employed in the plastic manufacturing units do not suffer,'' Mr Tiberwal said.

The West Bengal Government has announced a ban on manufacturing plastic carry bags below the thickness of 40 micros, effective from June five this year as against the earlier stipulation against using such bags below 20 micron.

UNI