HC orders Meghalaya to curb plastic use below 120 microns

Shillong: The high court of Meghalaya has directed the state to take appropriate action against offenders involved in the manufacturing of plastic less than 120 microns in Meghalaya.

The HC ordered that the state should take all steps to prevent its clandestine manufacture and inspect places where these are in frequent use, seize these items and deal with the offenders appropriately.

"For this purpose, administrative orders may be issued," a bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order on Wednesday.

The bench also said it did not find that any real action has been taken to ensure the removal of this category of plastic products from the market. It said positive and effective steps to remove these items from the market would be the first step towards a society without plastic and with its replacement by an equivalent substitute available at an equivalent price.

"In those circumstances, we direct each and every deputy commissioner heading a district to take the following measures: (a) Continue to carry out awareness camps indicating the adverse effects of plastic. (b) Informing and convincing the people by public announcement, through advertisement, billboards, wall writing, other media that the use of plastic is detrimental to personal health, environment and the ecological system; (c) Give reasonable time to persons who have already procured and have possession of plastic less than 120 microns to return the items to the seller or to dispose of them hygienically," the HC said.

On the other hand, CM Conrad K Sangma has announced that the 39th National Games to be held in Meghalaya would be plastic-free, with plans to host a completely biodegradable sporting event.

In a recent visit to the Nongpiyur Government LP School, the CM had inspected the school toilets which were made of single use plastic waste through the S.U.P.E.R CAMPAIGN 2024 (Single Use Plastic Eco Recycling), an initiative by My Meghalaya My Pride & GreenAmmo in collaboration with Directorate of School Education & Literacy and State Project Office SEMAM-Samagra Shiksha, Govt of Meghalaya.

The CM also announced investment of approximately Rs 1,890 crores in a state-of-the-art factory that will produce starch-based bags and bottles.