Meghalaya HC directs State not to permit manufacturing of plastic of less than 120 microns, take action against offenders

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 14, 2025

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed the State to take appropriate action against offenders involved in manufacturing of plastic of less than 120 microns in the state.

After hearing a PIL on the matter, the bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh in its order said, “Plastic of less than 120 microns width should not be permitted to be manufactured in the State. The State should take all steps to prevent its clandestine manufacture and subject to (c) above identify and inspect places where they are in frequent use, seize them and deal with the offenders appropriately. For this purpose, administrative orders may be issued.”

The bench has also stated that it did not find that any real action has been taken to ensure removal of this description of plastic products from the market. It opines that positive and effective steps for removal of these items from the market would be the first step towards having a society without plastic and with its replacement by an equivalent substitute available at an equivalent price.

“In those circumstances, we direct each and every Deputy Commissioner heading a district to take the following measures:

(a) Continue to carry out awareness camps indicating the adverse effects of plastic.

(b) Informing and convincing the people by public announcement, through advertisement, billboards, wall writing, other media that the use of plastic is detrimental to personal health, environment and the ecological system;

(c) Give reasonable time to persons who have already procured and have possession of plastic less than 120 microns to return the items to the seller or to dispose of them hygienically,” the bench said in its order.

It also directed that the respondent administration through the rank of Secretary to collect all the reports from the Deputy Commissioners and file a report by June 20.

Earlier, T Yangi B Additional Advocate General has filed a report dated March 11, 2025. The report indicates that in most of the places only awareness camps have been held. Members of the public have been made aware of the illegality in the use of plastic of 120 microns or more.

On perusing the report, the bench stated, “We find that action has been taken only in a major portion of East Khasi Hills District and hardly any in the remaining eleven districts of this State.”