Lawmakers supportive of the ruling government have engaged in a debate over a proposed amendment to the Waste Management Act that seeks to eliminate taxes on plastic bag bundles.
The amendment, if passed, would require businesses to pay taxes on each plastic bag distributed, and has received pushback from certain lawmakers.
Under the current legislation, the state enforces a fee of MVR 2.00 for each plastic bag included in a wholesale bundle of 50 or more bags.
The proposed amendment seeks to modify Article 32 of the Act by including plastic bag bundles in the list of items exempted from the plastic bag fee.
- Plastic bags issued or sold from duty-free shops
- Bags used to store fresh or raw fish not vacuum-packed
- Bin liner bags sold or issued by waste management corporations or other relevant authorities
During the debate, Vilingili MP Saud Hussain expressed his opposition to the proposed changes, citing that the Parliament had already passed an effective act aimed at curbing single-use plastics, which is currently being implemented. He further argued that any additional amendments to the act could have negative consequences, as it may impede the implementation process.
In his remarks, the MP asserted that any discussions that could disrupt ongoing efforts to combat plastic usage would be futile. He emphasized the need for reducing plastic bag usage, stating that imposing fees could be an effective solution.
"I do not see how this amendment will solve anything," the MP commented, expressing his doubts about the proposed amendment put forth on Monday.
Echoing MP Hussain's views, Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem supported the argument that the plastic bag fee was introduced to discourage their usage by increasing retail prices, and therefore exempting wholesale bundles of 50 or more bags would run counter to the original purpose of the fee.
MP Saleem also contended that although the Waste Management Act presented a viable solution to minimize plastic bag usage, the proposed amendment could lead to the exploitation of the situation, thus impeding the state's efforts to reduce plastic bag sales.
"I also want the government's strategy to succeed...which is precisely why I am opposed to measures that could impede its success," Saleem added, emphasizing his commitment to the government's efforts to curb plastic usage while opposing the proposed amendment.
Saleem also proposed a solution to address public concerns, suggesting a reduction in the fee imposed on general consumers to 50 Laari, while gradually increasing it in the future.
In his remarks, South-Machchangolhi MP Ahmed Haitham also opposed the bill, echoing Saleem's suggestion of reducing the fee to 50 laari. However, he went on to add that tax exemption for plastic bag bundles would not suffice in entirely addressing the issue.
Haitham also noted that the waste management bill was currently under review by the Attorney General's Office for feedback, and expressed concerns that the AGO had not commented on the proposal to exclude plastic bag bundles from the exemption list. He also raised concerns about the timing of the proposed amendment, coming just days after the implementation of the Waste Management Act.
"We do not want to rubber stamp everything," Haitham commented, emphasizing the importance of conducting in-depth research on proposed amendments. "We identify the best solutions, and if the Attorney General's Office does not have any objections to it, we pass the bills."
Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef was the only member to speak in favor of the proposed amendment during Monday's sitting. He argued that plastic bag bundle prices increase by MVR10-12 when they are sold from wholesalers to retail outlets.
1. To reduce the overall usage of plastic bags
2. Businesses and entrepreneurs will have the advantage if plastic bag bundles are exempted from the fee which will in turn defeat the state’s purpose of endorsing alternatives to plastic bags
3. Plastic bag sales from retail outlets will not reduce while entrepreneurs will no longer be liable
4. Exemptions on plastic bag bundles will open black market opportunities
5. The parliament committee do not believe the fee should only be levied on general consumers
6. Levying the fee on consumers buying plastic bags in bundles or individually is the fairest approach
7. Exempting the fee from plastic bag bundles contradicts the objectives of the Waste Management Act and its associated policies and will hinder government efforts to reduce plastic bag usage
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