Shimla, December 28
Imagine a day without chocolates, biscuits, noodles and soft drinks. Come January 26, it may become a reality in Himachal Pradesh if the recent high court verdict is strictly enforced.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had on December 26 directed the state government to ban the sale, storage, entry and manufacture of non-essential food items packaged in non-biodegradable material in the state by January 26. The list of food items, excluding drinking water, includes chips, chocolates, biscuits, ‘namkeen’, noodles and soft drinks.

Even as major stakeholders affected by the ban on sale of junk food and other confectionary items packaged in plastic and non-degradable material prepare to move the Supreme Court, it will be an uphill task for the state government to implement the orders.

Besides the thousands of shopkeepers, traders and retailers who are likely to be impacted by the ban, the decision has added to the worry of some big multinational companies who have production units in the industrial estates of Baddi and Una in Himachal.

Some of the big names in the food industry like Cadbury’s, Nestle, Pepsi, Hindustan Lever and Cremica have their production units in Himachal.

Adopting a wait-and-watch approach, the state government too is awaiting court orders before taking any final decision.

“We are still awaiting the court orders and as per the directives contained in it, we shall take a decision,” said SS Negi, Director, Department of Environment and Scientific Technology.

The state Pollution Control Board too is waiting for the final word from the highest level in the government.

Various associations like the Sanyukt Beopar Mandal, Indian Biscuit Manufacturers Association and others have moved court, seeking relief. “We are still mulling over the options that are available but one thing is certain that we will challenge it in the apex court. Implementing it will lead to too many complications,” said most of the stakeholders, including traders and small shopkeepers. Most of them say that they cannot have a separate packaging arrangement of degradable material for Himachal.