Telangana and Andhra Plastics Manufacturers Association (TAAPMA), a reputable trade association established in 1969, representing 90% of the plastic industry's turnover in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, has made an appeal to the Telangana State Government. TAAPMA urges the government to consider reducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on plastics from the current rate of 18% to 12%. This call was made by Mr. Anil Reddy Vennum, Vice President South of All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA), during the curtain raiser event for HIPLEX, the biggest plastics expo in South and Central India. The event is scheduled to be held at Hitex in August.
Addressing a function held at ITC Kakatiya on Monday night, Mr. Anil Reddy highlighted the challenges faced by the plastic industry, emphasizing the burden imposed by the high GST rate. Given the industry's thin profit margins and intense competition, the 18% GST is a significant blow, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises operating in the sector. Plastic products are essential for daily needs, including food packaging, household articles, and various containers. As a majority of plastic processors are MSME units, a reduction in the GST rate to 12% would greatly benefit small players, stated Mr. Anil Reddy.
In response to this request, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Government of Telangana, who attended the event as the Chief Guest, assured that he would take up the matter with Mr. Harish Rao, the State Finance Minister and GST Council Member.
Mr. Reddy also urged the establishment of a second plastics park to support micro, small, and mid-sized companies. He pointed out that the existing park at Thummalur is fully occupied and caters mainly to large companies due to high land prices. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, along with E. Venkat Narsimha Reddy, VC & MD TSIIC, responded positively to the demand, suggesting that a suitable land pocket at Zaheerabad could be allotted for this purpose. They also proposed that TAAPMA be entrusted with the responsibility of allocating land to the units.
Mr. Jayesh Ranjan emphasized that establishing a plastics park at Zaheerabad would be cost-effective, as a significant portion of the plastic industry is concentrated in and around Hyderabad. The government is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and reusable plastics, which will improve the industry's reputation. Mr. Ranjan urged TAAPMA to bring all plastic units into their fold, including those currently operating outside the association's purview. Furthermore, he assured that the long-pending industry incentives would be disbursed starting from December, addressing concerns regarding seniority in the allocation process.
At the event, Mr. Meela Jayadev, the Guest of Honour, advocated for the promotion of industries in districts with untapped potential. He suggested allocating 100-acre land pockets to each district, fostering job creation and entrepreneurship. The government officials, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan and Narasimha Reddy, welcomed this suggestion and expressed confidence in the state's land bank capacity.
K. Padmaja Reddy, President of All India Flat Tape Manufacturers Association, highlighted the absence of cheaper alternatives to plastics and emphasized the need for circularity and sustainability to ensure a livable planet.
Vimalesh Gupta, President of TAAPMA, announced that HIPLEX, the international Plastic Expo 2023, would take place at Hitex for four days in August, from 4th to 7th August 2023. With an expansive exhibition area of 20,000 sq. meters, the event will feature 400 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing a wide range of products, including specialty chemicals, master batches, process machinery, printing and packaging equipment, raw materials, molds and dies, post-processing equipment, quality testing equipment, and finished plastic products.
Additionally, an exclusive pavilion will be dedicated to recycling and startups in the plastics industry. The exhibition expects to attract around 50,000 visitors from across India, marking its return after a four-year hiatus.
TAAPMA felicitated Mr. Meela Jayadev, the newly elected President of FTCCI and a member of TAAPMA, during the event. Moreover, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan unveiled the latest issue of Plastic Times, TAAPMA's in-house magazine.
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