Single-use plastic biggest threat, lack of substitutes forces its usage, says Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday termed single-use plastic as the "biggest threat" to the environment, and rued that lack of substitutes makes states to permit its usage, reported news agency PTI.

Speaking at an event organised by Balrampur Chini Mills in Mumbai, Fadnavis said states including Maharashtra have banned single-use plastic but added that half of the plastic people use continues to be single-use one.

"Today since there are no sustainable solutions for exports, for packaging, we still have to permit use of single-use plastic. And I think today the biggest threat to our environment is this single-use plastic," Fadnavis said, reported PTI.

The Chief Minister also invited Balrampur Chini Mills to invest in Maharashtra, pointing out that the company already has 10 plants in Uttar Pradesh. Fadnavis also quipped that he will speak to UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath to allow the company to invest in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis said the sugar industry presents continued challenges for policymakers, and added that the presence of fair and remunerative price sometimes results in situations where the remuneration for raw material is more than the selling price of finished product because the prices are influenced by global markets, while domestic considerations weigh on deciding the FRP to farmers, reported PTI.

There are challenges even when there is an excess production of sugar, and the urge to manage retail prices domestically leads to export curbs on the commodity, he said.

Balrampur Chini Mills on Tuesday launched India's first Poly Lactic acid (PLA) brand 'Balrampur Bioyug', and termed it as an advancement in biopolymer manufacturing and sustainable industrial practices, reported PTI.

The company will be investing Rs 2,850 crore to set up a PLA plant next to its existing facility in Uttar Pradesh's Kumbhi.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to ensure that financial aid is provided to people affected by heavy rains in the state, his cabinet colleague Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Tuesday.

Bawankule, the state revenue minister, said affected citizens, including farmers, would be compensated as per norms set by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

"People who lost their houses or crops due to heavy rains should receive financial assistance. These were the orders of Chief Minister Fadnavis," he told reporters.

A comprehensive presentation on the damage caused by the recent downpour was made before the state cabinet, Bawankule added.

(With inputs from PTI)