'Prohibitory Orders' Banning Single-Use Plastic Issued In 11 Out Of 12 Districts: State Tells Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court was recently informed that prohibitory orders have been issued in 11 out of 12 districts of the State banning the sale and use of plastic carry bags of less than 120 microns, except East Jaintia Hills. The division bench comprising the Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh was hearing a PIL seeking a complete ban on single-use plastic (SUP) in the State of Meghalaya.Earlier, the Court had noted that although for a very long time, plastic was being used for storage of materials, its negative qualities were so significant that time had come to totally ban its use. Vide its order dated August 16, 2024, the Court directed the State to take measures in that direction.In terms of the said order, the State filed a report dated March 11 this year which was considered by the Court on May 14.After perusing the said report, the Court had in its May 14 order observed that no real action had been taken state government to ensure removal of plastic products from the market, and had issued a slew of directions on preventing clandestine manufacture of plastic "which is less than 120 microns width". It had noted that action has been taken only in a major portion of East Khasi Hills District and hardly any in the remaining eleven districts of the State. During the hearing on June 25, the Counsel appearing for the State respondent filed a report stating compliance with the Court's order dated May 14, 2025. The said report specifies district-wise compliance in 11 districts except East Jaintia Hills. The Court directed the Counsel for the State respondent to file a compliance report by the authorities of East Jaintia Hills before the next date of hearing of the PIL. “We are quite satisfied with the steps taken. We note that the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District had issued a “prohibitory order banning the sale and use of plastic carry bags of less than 120 microns from Page 2 of 3 June, 2025”. We find that a similar prohibitory order had been issued by the District Magistrate, South Garo Hills, Baghmara. It appears from the submission of learned counsel for the State respondent that similar prohibitory orders have been issued in all the districts covered by the report,” the Court observed.The Court further noted that awareness camps, monitoring the use of plastic and appropriate measures against wrongdoers seem to have been initiated. “The action taken seems to be at the initial stage. The prohibitory orders need to be strictly implemented. We direct that comprehensive action should be taken to enforce the orders of this Court dated 16th August, 2024 read with the subsequent orders, the last of which was made in 14th May, 2025 and the administrative measures adopted by the government,” the Court said.The Court directed the State respondent to file a supplementary action taken report on the next date of hearing of the PIL i.e. August 12. Case Title: Phuyosa Yobin v. State of Meghalaya & Anr.Case No.: PIL No. 7/2024Click Here To Read/Download Order

'Prohibitory Orders' Banning Single-Use Plastic Issued In 11 Out Of 12 Districts: State Tells Meghalaya High Court

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