According to an insider in contact with ET NOW, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun discussions over the issue of management of single-use plastics in the country.
The insider reported that the Prime Minister has directed senior government officials to design a step-by-step plan to slowly phase out the use of single-use plastics through a product-wise approach instead of a full-blown ban on their use since it could potentially harm the interests of small-scale wholesalers, retailers and even consumers.
In this view, PM Modi seeks to follow a calculated and eventual approach towards discontinuing the use of single-use plastics by the 2021 year-end period.
The Government is also expected to consult with the Paper & Jute Industries to encourage higher production levels of these materials which are expected to replace these single-use plastic materials.
On February 25 while attending the monthly review of key projects and programs undertaken by the Government, PM Modi urged the Ministry of Environment and Forest to increase its focus on developing more effective policies to decrease the demand for single-use plastics and to involve youth organizations such as the NSS and NCC in their projects.
