HC seeks report on polythene ban, awareness measures

Srinagar, Oct 21: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has sought to know about the steps taken by the government on polythene bags ban and the awareness measures among people for avoiding its use in Jammu and kashmir.

A division bench of Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta also granted “last and final opportunity” to Centre and J&K to report with regard to implementation of the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.

The Court was hearing a related Public Interest Litigation filed by an NGO Environmental Policy Group.

“The respondents are also directed to report what steps they are taking with regard to the ban on polythene bags and also disclose what steps they have taken with regard to organizing awareness amongst the citizens of the Union Territory for avoiding the use of polythene bags,” the court said.

The court in this regard sought a status report from the government by the next date of hearing.

In July this year, the court had granted the last and final opportunity to the counsel for the authorities for filing a status report, failing which, it had said costs of Rs 50,000 would be imposed.

While the court observed that the status report had been filed by the State of Jammu and Kashmir through its Principal Secretary to Government and Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, it said the rest of the respondents have failed to file their status report in compliance with the its order.

“Last and final opportunity of four weeks is granted to the respondents for filing the status report, failing which, cost of Rs.50000shall be imposed upon the respondents.” The court said and listed the PIL for further consideration on December 3.

The PIL filed by EPG is seeking implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules and has prayed the court to command the authorities to take a call forthwith and make arrangements for local segregation and treatment of the Solid Waste, to ensure that only 10% of such waste is taken to landfill sites and make effective planning in a way which would ensure conversion of possible waste into energy, organic compost and treatment of other solid waste under the Waste Management Rules.

It also seeks direction to the authorities to treat and dispose of the Bio Medical waste generated across the State in all private, Government hospitals, nursing homes, clinics etc. in accordance with rules.

Besides, it seeks directions to the authorities to take steps for treatment of fruit and vegetable waste across the J&K as the same is being mixed with other non-biodegradable waste and finally dumped unscientifically at the landfill sites despite the fact that a proper mechanism is available for getting funding from Union Agriculture Ministry for Purchasing machines to process fruit/vegetable market waste which will be finally converted into organic compost.