PHUYOSH YOBIN Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This public interest litigation (PIL) was admitted and entertained in August, 2024 by the bench presided over by the then Chief Justice Mr. Justice S. Vaidyanathan. It was of the view that although for a very longtime, plastic was being used for storage of materials, its negative qualities were so significant that time had come to totally ban its use. It directed the State to take measures in that direction, by its order dtd. 16/8/2024.

(2.) In terms of the said order, a report dtd. 11/3/2025 had been filed by the respondents which we considered on 14/5/2025. We observed that action in terms of the order dtd. 16/8/2024 had only been taken in a major portion of East Khasi Hills District and not in others. We passed a detailed order directing the Deputy Commissioner heading a district to carry out awareness camps, make public announcement of the health hazards of the use of plastic and for taking steps that single-use plastic items of less than 120 microns were not manufactured in the State, brought into the State from outside or sold here in any manner, make extensive inspection to discover any clandestine use of banned plastic and for taking steps against offenders. Today, learned counsel for the State respondent has filed a report stating compliance with our order dtd. 14/5/2025. The report specifies district-wise compliance in 11 districts except East Jaintia Hills. Learned counsel for the State respondent is directed to file a compliance report by the authorities of East Jaintia Hills before the next date of hearing of this PIL.

(3.) We have perused the report.