Paper Industry Must Embrace Innovation, Sustainability & Collaboration To Drive India’s Growth: Shri Nikhil Chakravarthy.

Hyderabad, Telangana, 1st of August, 2026 : The Federation of Paper Traders Association (FPTA), the apex body of paper traders in India established in 1959, in association with the Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association (TPMA), commemorated the National Paper Day by bringing together leaders from the paper, printing, packaging and allied industries and hosting a seminar today, at FTCCI, Red Hills, Hyderabad.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Shri Nikhil Chakravarthy, IA&AS, Director of Industries, Government of Telangana. Shri Sushil Agarwal, Managing Director, Deevyashakti India Private Ltd., graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Nikhil Chakravarthy underscored the pivotal role of the paper industry in India’s manufacturing ecosystem and called upon industry stakeholders to embrace innovation, sustainability and technological advancement to remain globally competitive. He said, “The paper industry continues to be an indispensable contributor to India’s economic growth, education, packaging, printing publishing, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and manufacturing sectors. By adopting sustainable practices, embracing innovation and strengthening collaboration across the value chain, the industry can unlock immense opportunities while contributing to the nation’s vision of sustainable development. Telangana offers a business-friendly ecosystem backed by robust infrastructure, progressive industrial policies and ease of doing business. I encourage the industry to explore opportunities in value-added manufacturing, sustainable packaging, recycling and technology-driven growth. The Government remains committed to working closely with industry associations like TPMA to address challenges, promote investments and strengthen Telangana’s position as a preferred destination for paper and packaging businesses. He appreciated TPMA’s immense contribution to the state’s economy.

Although this is not the kind of event I attend regularly, today has made me realize how important such gatherings are. We often speak about industries like aerospace, agro-processing, manufacturing, and many others, but behind every successful industry are the merchants and traders who market products, build distribution networks, and ensure customers are served efficiently. Their contribution is truly invaluable. I am delighted to be here and grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the paper industry. The insightful addresses by the President, the inspiring words of Dr. Narendra Parchuri, and the enthusiasm of the anchor have made this a memorable experience. I assure you of our government’s wholehearted support for the paper industry.

Today, I also gained a deeper appreciation of how integral this industry is to sectors such as education, publishing, printing, packaging, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and manufacturing. In fact, while discussing a ₹2,000 crore investment with Hindustan Unilever, one of their key questions was about the strength of Telangana’s packaging ecosystem. That conversation reinforced how closely the growth of the paper and packaging industries is linked to attracting large-scale investments. We are committed to connecting such industries and creating new growth opportunities for the sector.

On this National Paper Day, I would also like to share some of the initiatives we are undertaking to strengthen Telangana’s industrial ecosystem. Through TG-iPASS, our single-window approval system, industries receive approvals within 30 days, failing which they are deemed approved. This pioneering model has earned Telangana national and global recognition for ease of doing business.

We are now taking this further with the concepts of Speed of Doing Business and the Right to Do Business. For green and white category industries with minimal environmental impact, we aim to allow businesses to commence operations immediately while providing adequate time to obtain post-establishment approvals. We are working towards giving this framework statutory backing, making Telangana an even more industry-friendly destination. Equally important, our focus extends beyond industry to commerce. We are committed to being pro-commerce, pro-trade, and pro-merchant. Under TG-iPASS 2.0, we are integrating nearly 96 approvals—including those for commercial, educational, clinical, and other establishments—into a single digital platform with a deemed approval mechanism. This will significantly simplify and accelerate the process of starting and expanding businesses across the state. I am truly grateful to have been part of this celebration. Many of you here are not just industry leaders but also friends, and I deeply appreciate the warmth and affection with which you have welcomed me. I reaffirm my full support for the continued growth of the paper industry and for attracting greater investments into this sector, he added.

Shri T. Kishan Singh, President Elect, FPTA; said, National Paper Day is not merely a celebration of the industry’s rich legacy but also an occasion to chart its future. “The paper trade is evolving rapidly with changing consumer demands, digital transformation and sustainability imperatives. FPTA remains committed to empowering traders, encouraging responsible business practices and creating a stronger, more resilient paper industry across the country. 

We earnestly request the Government to consider reducing the GST on paper and paperboard packaging to 5%. The current 18% GST has a significant impact on the entire value chain, ultimately increasing costs for consumers and affecting every citizen. On behalf of all TPMA members, we respectfully urge the Government to classify the paper and packaging industry under the 5% GST slab, providing much-needed relief to both the industry and the public, he added.

Shri Abhishek Vijaywargiya, President, TPMA; highlighted Telangana’s growing importance in the paper trade and expressed confidence that greater collaboration among stakeholders would accelerate the sector’s growth. “Telangana has emerged as an important hub for paper, printing and packaging industries. Forums like these enable knowledge sharing, strengthen partnerships and prepare businesses to seize emerging opportunities in the evolving marketplace.

Paper is not merely a product, it is the foundation of knowledge, the keeper of memory, the carrier of ideas, and the silent architect of civilization. Every great future begins with a blank sheet of paper. Technology may shape the future, but paper preserves it. It transforms ideas into knowledge, knowledge into civilization, and possibilities into progress. We don’t merely trade paper; we enable education, preserve history, inspire innovation, and build nations. Every great future begins with a blank sheet of paper. History remembers great civilizations only because someone wrote them down. Paper is not just a product, it is humanity’s most enduring partner in knowledge, progress, and civilization. A blank sheet has a price; a written sheet has value. Paper becomes knowledge, wisdom, authority, and legacy, making it one of humanity’s greatest inventions, he opined.

Shri Ashish Jain Bhansali, Honorary Secretary, TPMA; said the seminar reflected the collective commitment of the industry to remain future-ready. “National Paper Day reminds us of the enduring relevance of paper in education, communication, commerce and sustainable packaging. By bringing together industry leaders and experts, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue and inspire the next phase of growth for the sector.

On the occasion of National Paper Day, we celebrated this event at FTCCI under the guidance of our central body, comprising the Telangana Paper Merchants Association and the Federation of Paper Traders Associations. Paper is an eco-friendly, sustainable, and fully recyclable product that plays an indispensable role throughout our lives—from education and communication to official documentation, currency, and celebrations. It is truly a friend of nature. Despite its environmental benefits and essential role, GST on most paper products was increased from 12% to 18%. On behalf of our association, we have urged the Government to reduce it to 5%. We conveyed this request to our Chief Guest, Mr. Nikhil Chakravarthy, IAAS, Director of Industries and Director of TGIIC, seeking his support for rationalizing the GST structure for the paper industry”, he added.

Shri K. K. Maheshwari, President, FTCCI; said, “Many of you know the history of paper, but it’s worth remembering that handmade paper production in India began on 1st August 1930, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Though I am not directly from the paper industry, my father was associated with it, and I grew up listening to discussions about its growth and challenges. It made me wonder how India’s total paper production in the 1960s and 70s compares with today, when the country produces nearly 24 million tonnes annually. The progress has been phenomenal. In fact, ITC Bhadrachalam alone now produces around one million tonnes, probably exceeding India’s total production in the early decades. Together, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have emerged as the country’s leading paper-producing region, thanks to several world-class manufacturing units.

As the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), we stand firmly with the paper industry and will extend our full support for its growth. I also invite those who are not yet members of the Federation to join us and strengthen this collective platform. While GST on products like exercise books and newsprint is 5%, many other paper products continue to attract 18%. We are committed to taking up the industry’s representations before the GST Council and working towards a rationalized GST structure”.

Shri Narendra Paruchuri, Managing Director, Pragati Offset Pvt. Ltd., said, Proud to represent an industry that proves sustainability and progress go hand in hand, recyclable, eco-friendly, and responsible. Wishing everyone continued success.

National Paper Day commemorates the inauguration of the Handmade Paper Institute, Pune, by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1940, marking a significant milestone in the development and promotion of India’s paper industry. This year’s celebration assumes added significance for Telangana, as Shri T. Kishan Singh, a distinguished paper industry leader from the state, is the President elect of the Federation of Paper Traders Association, the country’s premier body representing paper traders.

Among the distinguished dignitaries who graced the occasion and addressed the gathering were Shri K.K. Maheshwari, President, FTCCI; Shri Narendra Paruchuri, Managing Director, Pragati Offset Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Radha Krishna, President, Telangana Offset Printers Association (TOPA); Shri Adhitya Sharma, President, Association of Corrugated Case of Telangana (ACCT); Shri Vimal Kumar Nahar, President, Telangana CAIT Confederation of All India Traders and Shri Dinesh Rathi and Shri Anand Bajaj, convenors of the Paper Day Celebrations.

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