Bombay HC bans usage of thermocol decorations during Ganesh Chaturthi
The Bombay High Court today declined to relax the ban on sale of decoration items made of thermocol for use in the forthcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Maharashtra. A division bench of Justices AS Oka and Riyaz Chagla dismissed a petition filed by Thermocol Fabricator and Decoration Association, seeking relaxation of the ban only for this year's Ganesh festival to be celebrated in September.
Ban will hit association members badly, cause huge loss: Petitioner
The petition claimed the association's members would suffer huge financial losses if decoration material made of thermocol isn't permitted to be sold in the market. The Maharashtra government opposed the petition and said the last day to dispose of the banned items was June 23. Despite this, the petitioner didn't dispose of their material and is now seeking relaxation, it argued.
Maharashtra generates 1,200 tons of plastic waste each day
The HC said it cannot ignore the government's arguments that 1,200 tons of plastic waste is generated each day and there is no proper scientific provision for its disposal. Justice Oka said the court can't ignore the adverse effects of plastic waste on the environment. The court also refused to accept the association's undertaking that it would dispose of the thermocol after the festival.
Government imposed ban on all plastic materials on March 23
Over the years, thermocol items have been extensively used to decorate Ganpati pandals. On March 23, the government imposed a ban on manufacture, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic. The notification was challenged in HC by plastic, PET-bottle and thermocol manufacturers on the grounds that it was arbitrary and violated their right to livelihood. In April, the bench declined to stay the notification.
People violating plastic ban can be fined, jailed: Court
The notification gave three months (till June 23) to the manufacturers, distributors and retailers to dispose of the existing stock of prohibited items. Those violating the ban will be fined and repeat offenders can be jailed, the court had said.
