City-based disposable goods traders on Saturday met with Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) president Aditya Malhotra, seeking the trade body’s urgent intervention in ensuring an exemption for garbage bags from the purview of the ban on single-use plastic, the immediate return of the seized stock, and the revocation of the penalty.
RMC Raid and Seizure
The move follows the June 18 raid by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on an establishment in Upper Bazaar area, during which civic officials seized 480 kg of garbage bags, classifying them as banned single-use plastic, and slapped a fine of Rs 52,000 on the shopkeeper.
Traders’ Grievances and Threat of Shutdown
Warning that they would pull down their shutters indefinitely if their grievances were not addressed, the vendors claimed that the RMC, the State Pollution Control Board, and the FJCCI, during a meeting held in July 2022, had agreed to exclude garbage bags from the single-use plastic ban due to the lack of practical alternatives.
“The action taken by the RMC disregarding its own earlier decisions has led to confusion. Traders should be informed if there is any policy change regarding a specific item,” FJCCI general secretary Rohit Agarwal said.
FJCCI President’s Response
The FJCCI president said, “The livelihoods of thousands of traders and their employees are at stake. We will soon meet with the municipal commissioner and officials concerned to seek a practical and permanent solution to the problem, one that safeguards the interests of traders while meeting environmental conservation objectives.”
Importance of Garbage Bags for Waste Management
Garbage bags are essential for waste management in homes and hospitals. Their absence could lead to garbage piling up on streets, Civic amenity sub-committee chairman Amit Sharma stated.
RMC’s Firm Stance
However, a firm RMC additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, “Action was taken under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (Amended 2026). If the traders’ body thinks our action is wrong, they can go to an appeal. We will revoke the trade license of violators if violations continue. Any plastic below the prescribed micron level will be seized.”
