TNPCB gets a week to reply on plastic flags in polls

When the PIL came up for hearing, first Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundaresan recorded the submission made by the Additional Solicitor General G Rajagoplan that the Election Commission has issued advisory from time to time and the last one was issued on March 16, 2006. 

The advisory had called upon the political parties to avoid the use of plastic and polythene for preparing posters and banners during election campaigns. The Additional Solicitor General also assured that in the coming election process the advisory will be once again issued to all parties concerned. 

However, the Bench on the recording that the TNPCB counsel would like to submit an affidavit on this behalf within a week, listed the case for further hearing to March 14, 2016. 

The petitioner Suryaprakasam has contended that each constituency generates nearly 10 tonnes of plastic waste during elections and with 234 constituencies in the state, 2,340 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste will be generated and this needs to stop. He further submitted that unless the poll code is amended to provide for a total ban on use of plastic flags during electioneering, violations will continue. Only if such a ban is put in place, political parties will revert to flags made of paper and cotton, Suryprakasam added. 

It may be noted that the bench in its earlier hearing ordered notices to the EC and TNPCB asking them as to what order could be passed to prevent the waste plastic from affecting the state.