The ban on single-use plastics (SUP), including carry bags irrespective of microns and SUP water/soft drink bottles under 1 liter, comes into effect on August 1, following a Nagaland Government’s notification. However, on July 31, a crucial meeting in Kohima decided to grant a grace period for dealers, stockists, and sellers to dispose their inventory of the now-banned items.
The decision was made after a meeting at the DC Conference Hall, involving the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), the Kohima District Task Force, newly elected councilors, the Association of Kohima Municipal Ward Panchayats, the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Kohima Village Council, colony/ward leaders, as well as distributors and stockists.
The notification enforcing the ban has caused concern among sections of the business community, particularly in Mokokchung, as was earlier published.
According to an official from the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), the current stock of “soft drinks below one liter” in Mokokchung town is estimated to be worth Rs 2.5 crore. Most of these ready-to-serve products do not have a “return policy” from the manufacturers. The MCCI official stated that while traders are not opposed to the ban, they require a “window period” to dispose of their existing stock of “soft drinks below one liter.”
This newspaper has learnt that the MCCI has written an application to the Mokokchung Municipal Council requesting a grace period but has yet to receive an official response from the MMC.