Queency Jain –
Observing the serious issue that arose on the use of unregulated plastic for packaging that can have an adverse effect on health and the environment, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the petition challenging the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the same.
A Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Mr Shah, while issuing notice to Central Government, Central Pollution Control Board and others, observed that it was a serious matter that shouldn’t be ignored by the NGT as it was because the Centre itself agreed in their report submitted to NGT that the plastic has adverse effects.
Earlier even after observing the adverse effects, the NGT did not pass any order stating the matter will be dealt with by the concerned executive authorities themselves.
In furtherance to the order of the NGT, a petition was filed stating that the NGT has failed to exercise its jurisdiction under Section 14 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 despite serious issues being raised, no order was given by the NGT.
In conclusion, it was contended that the report submitted by an expert committee in August 2019 itself has accepted that the use of plastic in non-essential products is a matter of concern wherein even the non-essential items has seen an exponential increase in the use of plastic packaging.
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