The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to restrict the inflow of plastic into the State at the entry level.
The High Court’s division bench of Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan and Judge Wanlura Diengdoh also directed the government to issue a counter-affidavit highlighting the steps it has taken in curtailing the use of plastic within the Meghalaya.
In an order passed on August 16, a division bench of Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan and Judge Wanlura Diengdoh directed the State government to impose hefty fines on shops storing plastic bags. The order was issued on a PIL filed by High Court lawyer Phuyosa Yobin.
“The Government of Meghalaya must be vigilant that the plastics items are stopped at the entry level itself. Next to the High Court, we are able to witness that there are accumulations of plastics in shops. A periodical raid should be conducted in all shops and the Government of Meghalaya should think of imposing huge fines against those who use plastics within the State of Meghalaya. Strict enforcement of law alone will be helpful in extermination of plastics from society,” the court said.
Asking the State government to start the drive against plastic from temple premises, the High Court said that CCTV cameras should be installed in all temples, “so that if anybody carries plastics inside the temple, that can be curtailed to some extent.
“Temple authorities must ensure that there is no usage of plastic bags in and around the worshipping places,” the court said.
“Periodical inspection should be conducted nearby shops and if any shops are found to have stored plastic bags, a heavy fine should be imposed on them and if the practice is continued, such shops should be kept under lock and seal,” the order said.
According to the High Court, the adoption of regulatory measures to curb the use of plastics alone may not be helpful, as there are several violators in India.
“If a citizen of India visits Singapore, he would throw plastics and other waste items only in the dustbin fearing imposition of heavy penalty, whereas such items would be thrown to floor, once the very same person lands India. Mere dream of conversion of our Country as that of Singapore alone will not be helpful and strict prohibitory measures and imposition of heavy fine on the violators is the only solution to eradicate plastics from the society, in addition to spreading awareness about the menace of plastics,” the High Court observed.
