Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday told the state government to make a decision on prohibition of polythene bags and plastic, without any exemptions on the micron, and it also directed the state to submit a decision by January 3, 2019, keeping in view the priority to ban plastic.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice S.V. Bhatt was hearing suo moto cases regarding the wide usage of polythene covers at shrines and deficiencies in the management of hygiene at temples in the state.
The court said that the economic and political power of plastic manufacturers and distributors might be high, but the government has to rule and further it said that plastic is a great menace to the environment and the government needs to take steps.
The bench categorically stated, “If the government has any difficulties to implement the ban on plastic, then we are ready to give directions,” and enquired why the state is less concerned about environmental protection.
The court said it was high time to take necessary action to implement rules of the Environmental Act and other prevailing Acts, to protect the environment and further commented: “Why has the government not banned the use of plastic in temples, do we need to tell them such a small thing?”
The bench also told the government not to give any exemptions in prohibiting polythene bags based on the microns and alerted them that even roadside eatables and beverages were also served in plastic containers, which may cause harm to public health.
