Shillong, Aug 16: High Court of Meghalaya has intervened to ensure that Meghalaya is plastic free.
While hearing a PIL in this regard on Friday, the division bench comprising Justice W Diengdoh and Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan said that the adoption of regulatory measures to curb the use of plastics alone may not be helpful, as there are several violators in our country. “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 are the only solution to eradicate plastics from the society, in addition to spreading awareness about the menace of plastics”, the court said.
The court said 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 amount of
fine against those, who use plastics within the State of Meghalaya, enforcement of law alone will be helpful in extermination of plastics
from society”, the court said.
“To begin with, such a move can be started from temple premises. Temple authorities must ensure that there is no usage of
plastic bags in and around the worshipping places. Periodical inspection
should be conducted nearby shops and if any shops are found to have stored plastic bags, heavy fine should be imposed on them and if the practice is continued, such shops should be kept under lock and seal.CCTV cameras shall be installed in all temples, so that if anybody carries plastics inside the temple, that can· be curtailed to some extent”, the court observed.
The matter will come up after three weeks.
The government is expected to file a counter affidavit/reply as to the steps taken by them
in curtailing the use of plastics within the precincts of Meghalaya, the court added.
