New Delhi: Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday urged the Central Government to authorise the maximum number of laboratories to test the alternatives to the single use plastics (SUP). A day ago, Rai had flagged the issue of high GST and import duty levied on SUP products.
In a letter to the Union Environment Ministry, Rai alleged that the scarcity of authorised lab to certify the alternative to SUP is very low and hence it’s costing hugely to the manufacturer. Currently, units engaged in the manufacture of compostable products have to obtain mandatory certifications from the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) laboratory, which is the only laboratory to carry out test of such products in the country.
Rai pointed out that the manufacturers were being compelled to wait for nearly six months to receive their test reports even after paying the amount of ₹4-5 lakh for it. “During the discussion with all the panellists involved in the three-day Plastic Vikalp Mela organised by the Delhi Government, it was observed that the units engaged in the manufacture of compostable bags/products are required to obtain tests reports from the CIPET laboratory before obtaining the certification from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),” the letter read.
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The Central Government has banned various items made from SUP with effect from July 1 and all the State Governments and pollution control bodies have been directed to enforce it rigorously. Raids were also conducted in different cities including Patna and Ranchi and traders were penalised for keeping the SUP items in their establishments.
“The government must authorise more laboratories if it wants to promote alternatives to SUP throughout the country, especially given how time-consuming the procedure for it. Startups/entities engaged in manufacturing SUP alternatives or compostable materials can get the certification at affordable rates and in a reasonable time,” Rai said in the letter addressed to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
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Rai further noted that it would motivated the manufactures to come out with suitable alternatives to SUP if the Central Government adopted a proactive gesture towards them. “The Government must collaborate to support and encourage new businesses and entrepreneurs that provide alternatives to SUP, in order to eliminate the supply of 19 banned SUP items,” he added.
On Tuesday, based on the inputs from the manufacturers, Rai urged the Centre to reduce GST rates on raw materials used in the manufacturing of alternatives to SUP.
