W. EDWIN WILLSON Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Being dissatisfied with the order of the National Green Tribunal by which the relief sought was not granted, the appellant has approached this Court by way of this Appeal. The grievance of the appellant is the use of PVC and chlorinated plastics for banners/hoardings used during elections.

(2.) By observing that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as well as the Chief Election Commission have taken a view that the use of plastics during elections especially banners/hoardings should be avoided, the Tribunal directed appropriate steps to be taken for compliance of the directions issued by the MoEF on 17.01.2019 to the Chief Secretaries of all the States/Union Territories and the Chief Electoral Officers.

(3.) The immediate concern of the appellant at this stage is that it is necessary for the Ministry of Environment and Forests to issue certain directions under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to ban the use of PVC and chlorinated plastics for advertisements during elections. The appellant is also of the view that the Election Commission should take pro-active steps in including this in the Model Code of Conduct and give suitable directions to all concerned. Ms.Aishwarya Bhati, learned Additional Solicitor General submitted that a draft notification has been issued calling for objections from all stake holders for banning different categories of plastic including PVC, which are less than 100 microns.