The Indian paper industry is suffering due to a lack of supporting policies by the government and is in the dire state of closure, according to the Indian Agro & Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA).

IARPMA is an apex body representing paper mills in India based on agro residues such as bagasse, rice straw, wheat straw, and waste paper.

“The government claims to utilise the agricultural wastes in the country; however, the largest user of the agricultural waste, the agro-based paper industries, are struggling to get the wheat straw, rice straw, bagasse, sarkanda, and other agricultural wastes. There is no policy framework to utilise the agricultural wastes and no support to the paper industry, which supports the rural economy of the country by converting agri-wastes into value-added products,” it said.

Addressing a press conference, Pramod Agrawal, President, IARPMA, spoke about the stressful situation of paper mills in India, which are reeling under financial crisis. He stressed on the policy support from the government to help industries to solve the issues. Mr Nandikeshwar, Vice President, South India Kraft Paper Mills Association called for reduction of import duty on waste paper from existing 2.5 % to 0% to relieve the paper mills.

Dr. Bipin Thapliyal, Secretary General, IARPMA flagged the issue of uncontrolled import of finished paper from ASEAN countries under Free Trade Agreements, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Asia Pacific Trade Agreement.