Delhi to ask Centre to reduce GST on SUP alternatives

NEW DELHI: Gopal Rai, Minister of Environment, Government of NCT of Delhi, said on Sunday that the city government would ask the federal government to lower the GST on raw materials used to make alternatives of single-use plastic (SUP). The public, as well as several government institutions, are very confused about the things that are subject to the prohibition, according to Rai, who presided over a roundtable with stakeholders to discuss alternatives to SUP.

To ensure there is no confusion when enforcing the prohibition, we will hold a training session for our enforcement teams, he said. The Delhi government will also establish a helpline number, where complaints may be made against non-compliance with the ban. To guarantee that the ban is followed, the revenue department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have formed 33 and 15 teams respectively.

The municipal body would write to the Centre about the matter, according to Rai, after certain stakeholders called the minister’s attention to the high GST rates on the raw materials for green alternatives. According to him, the Delhi government will ask the Centre to lower the GST rates on the raw materials used to make substitutes for single-use plastics. Jute and canvas are subject to GST rates of 5% and 18%, respectively, according to representatives of businesses producing environmental friendly alternatives who spoke with the minister. According to Subhash Goyal, Narela Plastic Welfare Association, SUP manufacturing facilities that want to switch to compostable plastic may have to wait more than a year to get the required approvals.

Rai talked about bringing up this matter with the Center. He added that there is a pressing need to raise awareness among general public since many people mistakenly believe that a ban on SUP items also applies to plastic carry bags. The restriction does not apply to plastic carry bags with a thickness of more than 75 microns. However, as of December 31, the thickness will need to be increased to 120 microns. The Delhi government is also developing a website that will provide all the details about prohibited SUP goods, their substitutes, and the places where substitutes can be made.

Rai stated that the city government would give warning to any units found to be in violation of the prohibition on 19 SUP goods till July 10, and that repeat offenders would then face disciplinary action. According to the Environment Protection Act of 1986, the offence carries a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or a jail sentence of up to five years, or both, he added. 1060 tonnes of plastic waste are produced daily in Delhi. SUP is thought to make up 5.6% (or 56 kg per metric tonne) of the city’s total solid waste. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification on August 12, 2020, banning the production, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of specific SUP commodities, such as polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, beginning on July 1 of this year.