Petitions against plastic ban transferred to NGT

The green court will now be hearing the matters challenging the city government’s 2012 notification imposing a blanket ban on use of plastic bags.

On Monday, the Delhi high court transferred to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) two matters challenging the city government’s ban on of plastic bags.

A bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said that the tribunal is already hearing pleas against use of plastic carry bags in various areas of Punjab and Haryana.

While sending the matter to the NGT, the bench asked the Delhi government to not take any coercive steps against the petitioner, Plastic Manufacturers Association, for eight weeks.

“We direct the transfer of these two petitions to the NGT,” the bench said, adding, “Since the impugned notification has not been enforced yet, the respondents are directed not to take any coercive steps for eight weeks from today.”

The tribunal has prohibited the use of plastic carry bags in various areas of Punjab and Haryana on a plea by Chandigarh resident Rishi Dev Anand who has alleged “gross failure” in waste management system and delay in tackling garbage disposal in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The high court was hearing a plea by the association which had challenged the Delhi government’s October 23, 2012, notification.