Plastic manufacturers have claimed that investments worth millions of rupees would go down the drain if the government implements the decision. The Supreme Court held the first hearing in the case on Thursday. The court has summoned government officials to furnish clarification on the matter. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 7.Talking to Republica, President of Nepal Plastic Manufacturers Association Sharad Sharma termed the government's decision immature. "Without offering an alternative for plastic bags, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) is preparing to ban plastic bags. The government needs to understand that at least Rs 35 billion in investments would go down the drain if the government's decision is implemented," said Sharma.
"How can the government just shut down our factories when it was the government that issued us the license to manufacture plastic bags?" he added.
Director General at Department of Environment (DoE) Suraj Pokharel, however, said that the government is firm in its decision. "I hear we have been summoned by the Supreme Court. But this will not deter us from taking ahead our campaign to make Kathmandu Valley a plastic-free zone," said Pokharel.
Secretary at MoSTE Krishna Chandra Poudel, during a function recently held in Kathmandu, had also directed all concerned authorities to support their campaign. Talking during the program, Poudel had said, "I urge all, including the plastic manufacturers to comply with the government decision, which is aimed at making our environment and city cleaner," said Poudel.
Related story
Case Against Makers Of Amazon Prime's Tandav In UP, Warning Of...
