High Court bans single-use plastic, proposes heavy penalty.
High Court bans single-use plastic, proposes
heavy penalty.
The Meghalaya High Court has
banned the use of single-use plastic in temples and shops across the state. A
bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan advocated the
use of 'tetra pack' cartons, which are primarily made of paper and can be a
good alternative to plastic. It said the fight against plastic is not just a
crusade for the environment but a battle for the health and future of our
planet.
Hearing
on PIL.
Hearing a PIL on the matter on Friday, the bench said in its order,
"Initially, such a step can be started from the temple premises. and The
temple authorities should ensure that plastic bags are not used in and around
the places of worship.the "CCTV all cameras will be installed in all
temples so that if someone takes plastic inside the temple, it can be stopped
to some extent," the court said.
Proposal to impose heavy fine.
The bench also banned the possession and use of plastic bags in shops
and proposed to impose heavy fine on violators. "If the plastic bags are
found kept in any shop, then a heavy fine should be imposed and if despite
this, its use continues, then such shops should be locked and sealed," it
said. Directing the state government to be vigilant, the bench also ordered
that plastic items be stopped at the entry level itself.
Awareness about the dangers of plastic.
The court said, "Raids should be conducted in all shops from time to time and the Meghalaya government should think of imposing heavy fine on those using plastic in the state."The bench said, "Apart from spreading awareness about the dangers of plastic, or taking strict restrictive measures and imposing heavy fines on violators is the only way to eliminate plastic from society." The High Court has also asked the state government to file an affidavit in this matter.
