Flouting of guidelines by pan masala producers: NGT points discover to Centre

A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and knowledgeable member A Senthil Vel famous the submissions of the petitioner’s counsel that in October 2021, the Central Pollution Control Board issued sure instructions to 25 such producers, together with instantly closing down operations till they switched to environmentally sound alternate options, which weren’t complied with.

The bench, in its order dated May 30, famous that based on the counsel, Anuj Aggarwal, sure provisions of the plastic waste administration guidelines had been being flouted.

These included the clause that “sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala” and “plastic material, in any form including vinyl acetate, maleic acid, vinyl chloride copolymer shall not be used in any package for packaging gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms”, the bench famous.

It additionally famous the submission that these producers weren’t complying with the Extended Producers’ Responsibility regime underneath the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which stipulated environmentally sound administration of merchandise, notably on the finish of their life cycle.

During the proceedings, the advocate additionally instructed the tribunal that no motion had been taken in opposition to these producers regardless of the EPR regime specifying penalties for non-compliance, together with seizure of merchandise, closure of models and penalties.

The tribunal mentioned, “The original application raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms. Issue notice to the respondents.”

It posted the matter for additional proceedings on September 26.

The respondents within the matter are the Centre, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi Pollution Control Committee , Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and a few pan masala and supari producers.