States not complying with plastic ban, says NGT

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE National Green Tribunal has expressed dismay that the use of plastic carry bags and the burning of plastic waste was continuing despite a ban in many states and union territories.

Though the banwas imposed on the use of plastic carry bags etc. in many states, the same was not enforced. Burning of plastic waste was continuing, apart from littering of plastic waste on railway tracks, bus stations etc, anNGT panel headed by Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel noted.

“As perthereportof the CPCB filed on 30.05.2019, annual reports have not been submitted byHaryana, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep and Mizoram till 30.04.2019,” the NGT noted.

The NGT panel was hearing a petition filed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for implementating the PWM Rules, 2016to implement the thickness norms for carrying bags, constitution of squads for vigilance, preventing littering of plastic waste in public, submission of annual reports and action plan for management, quantification and characterization in every city and town of all the states and UTs.

Directing state governments and union territories to take action in compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (PWM Rules), the NGT asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to monitor and furnish a report in this regard by September 30, 2019.

The CPCB on March 12, 2019 had informed the NGT that states were not furnishing information reports and taking steps to take preventive and regulatory measures envisaged under the PWM Rules.

The NGT then directed to states and union territories to ensure compliance of the PWM rules, requiringthem tofurnish reports detailing the steps taken in that direction. Defaulting states were to be required to pay compensation @ Rs 1 crore per month after May 1, 2019.

“The recovery of compensation for the delay in compliance timeline will be considered on the next date,” the panel said. The matter is now listed on October 16, 2019.

Read the Order here:

[pdfviewer]https://cdn.theleaflet.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/26165527/NGT-PWM-Rules1.pdf[/pdfviewer]