Chennai, September 2025
The 64th Annual General Meeting and three-day All India Conference of the Federation of Paper Traders Associations of India (FPTA), the country’s apex body of paper traders, opened in Chennai today with over 600 delegates from nearly 36 associations across India.
The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Sandeep Saxena, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Paper Limited. The event was presided over by Mr. Mehul J. Mehta, outgoing President, FPTA. Guests of honour included Mr. Ved Krishna, Group Head, Pakka Limited; Mr. Saifee Jani, Chairman, Jani Sales Pvt. Ltd.; and Mr. Prakash Garg, Chairman, NPT Group of Companies.
The national-level conference, to be held till September 14, 2025, will deliberate on critical issues impacting the sector, including the impact of GST slab revision from 12% to 18%, import challenges, and future trends in the paper industry.
The Madras Paper Merchants’ Association (MPMA), one of the four founding members of the Federation of Paper Traders Associations of India (FPTA), is hosting the 64th Annual General Meeting of the federation. This is the 10th time that MPMA is organising the prestigious national conference, which brings together paper traders and stakeholders from across the country.
The event will also witness the swearing in of Mr. Rajesh Jain from Chennai as the new President of FPTA for 2025-26. Mr. Jain is a first-generation entrepreneur, known for his ventures – Rajlakshmi Paper Agencies and Panchsheel Packaging Solutions – in trading as well as manufacturing kraft paper bags and pouches. He has been an active member of both MPMA and FPTA, serving on their Managing Committees.
In his comments Mr. Mehul J. Mehta, the president, said that the national conference in Chennai had attracted wide participation, reflecting the strength of the federation’s network and the vibrancy of the paper trade sector. “The paper trade and paper products industry is one of India’s key sectors, directly employing over half a million people and indirectly supporting nearly two million livelihoods. Beyond employment, its contribution extends to education, MSME packaging, and knowledge dissemination through print. The business and technical sessions would make use of the wide representation of the industry for the deliberations on GST, sustainability, and future industry challenges.”
Commenting on the revised GST, Mr. Mehta said, “Converting GST into a two-tier structure is a welcome move. However, for paper and paperboard products, a uniform 5% GST under Chapter 48 is essential. At present, as per the statements issued by the finance ministry, paper used for exercise books, notebooks, and maps is on NIL GST slab while paper used for printing calendars, diaries, posters, and stationery is taxed at 18%. Since paper can be used for any of the above purposes, the reversal of input tax credit for nil-rated goods is a cause of concern. Further, 18% GST on paper and 5% GST on many finished paper products can create an inverted duty structure that puts pressure on MSMEs. Rationalizing paper and paperboard to a uniform 5% GST will simplify the entire value chain—from manufacturing to notebooks, packaging, and printing—making it more efficient, growth-oriented, and aligned under the same tax slab.”
In his address, Mr. Rajesh Jain, the president-elect, expressed his gratitude to members for the trust placed in him and said his focus would be on expanding services and benefits for members through seminars, training programs, and annual technical and business sessions. He said that FTPA would conduct campaigns to clear myths around the sustainability of the paper industry, noting that the sector does not cut forests indiscriminately but is, in fact, one of the largest recyclers and pioneers in sustainable practices. He pointed out that about 74%-75% of paper in India is produced from waste paper recycling, about 18%-20% is made from wood and bamboo (most of which sourced through farmer-grown plantations and social forestry initiatives by paper mills), and the rest 6%-8% from agricultural residues such as wheat straw, paddy straw, and sugarcane bagasse.
MPMA and FTPA extended their heartfelt thanks to the platinum sponsors: Rajlakshmi Paper Agencies and Tamilnadu Newsprint and Papers Limited, and the gold sponsors, Indian Overseas Bank and NPT Group of Companies, among other sponsors, for their generous support in organising the event.
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