Earlier this week on 09th July 2021, Friday, the Hon’ble Supreme Court issued a notice in an appeal against the National Green Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as “NGT”) questioning the problem arising in the environment due to the regulated use of plastics for packaging.
The issue will be listed after 4 weeks and a counter-affidavit will be filed in the meanwhile, according to the Hon’ble division bench comprising of Hon’ble Justice DY Chandrachud and Hon’ble Justice MR Shah.
The current appeal was submitted by Him Jagriti Uttaranchal Welfare Society through Advocate Srishti Agnihotri, contesting the NGT’s judgement from 08th January 2021. The judgement of NGT was based on the fact that materials used in plastics are beyond the prescribed limit which is hazardous to health. Also, heavy metals are being used in the process of making plastic. Plastic bottles of PPT and multilayer packs like Tetra packaging are creating some serious health consequences. In the application, it was also suggested to limit the use of plastic in carbonated soft drinks and liquor packaging and also in all non-essential items.
Despite strong evidence on the record, the appellant contends that the NGT failed to exercise its authority under Section 14 of the NGT Act, 2010 through the impugned judgement. Instead, the Tribunal incorrectly concluded that the negative health consequences of plastic packing had been limited since the Bhan Committee’s recommendations were adopted.
Furthermore, it has been asserted that the government has neglected to take action in the seven years that this case has been pending before the Tribunal, despite extensive scientific data being placed on the record.
