The National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre and various stakeholders to file their submissions on a proposal that there should be a complete prohibition on the use of plastic packaging in food and pharmaceutical formulations of any kind.
The Bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, has directed the Ministries of Health and Environment, Central Pollution Control Board and the Board under the Drugs Act and all the others that none of the concerned Ministries are prepared to take a decision which according to them at one time was the need of the hour in larger public interest. “Be that as it may, we will proceed with hearing of the matter and take appropriate decision in accordance with law,” the Bench said.
The tribunal also charged the Environment Ministry questioning its affidavit which had said the Ministry deliberated over various aspects of pet bottles packaging of food and food products but concluded that there was no conclusive data available to substantiate any claim.
The green Bench was hearing a petition filed by NGO Him Jagriti Uttaranchal Welfare Society calling for restrictions on the use of plastic bottles and multi-layered, plastic packages or pet bottles by imposing a ban on packaging of carbonated soft drink.
