Page 7 - Plastics News November 2021

THE PRESIDENT SAYS

Taking the lead

It gives me immense pleasure to address you all today and give you a glimpse of my meeting with
Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Hon’ble Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India.
This meeting gave us an opportunity to represent Plastic Industry contribution to fulfil the vision
of Hon’ble Prime Minister with respect to Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, reducing carbon footprint and
mitigating climate change. During our one hour interaction with Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, we took this
opportunity to bring on his desk the pains and feelings of MSME Plastic Processors. We highlighted
the strength of AIPMA’s infrastructure as well as our Association with other small industries. We
emphasized on the fact that the representations made was an integrated views of 10 leading Plastic
Associations and requesting for their support for the growth of Plastic Industry.
During our meeting, we stated that Indian Plastic Industry is still dependent on imports of industrial
raw materials as Indian Polymer manufacturers are not yet able to cater full demand of the Plastic
Industry. The current scenario, imposition of mandatory BIS Standards and other such barriers
is creating bottle neck for the availability of raw material leading to shortage and jump in the raw
material prices due to which MSMEs are not getting the raw material to meet their needs and cater
to Indian and export markets.

Hon’ble Minister heard the stand of the Industry and assured that the Ministry will look into it
favourably. He also mentioned a solution is to create a full value chain of raw material to finished
goods in India, for growth of the country.

We also emphasized the fact that Indian Plastic Industry supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and Clean
India Programme of the Prime Minister and we need better India for our future. However, there
are few points in the new EPR rules framed which could be difficult for the Industry to implement
were brought to his attention as well.
We strongly requested him that small units should be exempted from EPR compliance just like small
brands. However, small units are ready to pay some amount of infrastructure cost that needs to
be made. DCPC welcomed our suggestions for the support and ease of the industry and extend
recommendations of MoEF&CC.
We also would like to inform you that AIPMA is coming up with many physical events in near future
with the support of DCPC, MSME and other Ministries and we look forward to your favourable
participation.

Kishore P. Sampat
president@aipma.net

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