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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
S. VAIDYANATHAN, P.T. ASHA, JJ.
Tamilnadu Pondy Plastic Association, Rep By Its President G. Sanaran - Appellant
Versus
The Government of Tamil Nadu Rep By Principal Secretary to Government Environment & Forest (EC-2) Department Chennai & Another - Respondent
Review Application No. 89 of 2019 in W.P.No. 34065 of 2018
Decided On : 21-07-2022
Plastic Waste Management - Environmental Conservation - The court directed the respondents to produce the waste management policy and commended the proactive steps taken by the Southern Railway in eradicating plastic waste.
Fact of the Case:
The first respondent filed a status report outlining measures taken for plastic waste management. The waste management policy was not produced as directed by the court.
Finding of the Court:
The court commended the steps taken by the Southern Railway and directed the respondents to produce the waste management policy before the next hearing.
Issues: Non-production of waste management policy, measures taken for plastic waste management.
Ratio Decidendi: The proactive steps taken by the Southern Railway set an example for other departments to follow in eradicating plastic waste.
Final Decision: The Review Application was listed for the next hearing on 28.07.2022.
JUDGMENT
(Prayer: To call for the records relating to the proceedings of the Ist respondent in G.O.NO 84 dated 25-6-2018 (environment and forests ec-2) department quash the same
To Review Order dated 27.12.2018 made in WP No.34065 of 2018 by allowing this Review Application.)
P.T. Asha, J.
Today, the first respondent has filed status report, dated 13.06.2022 setting out various measures that have been taken between the period January 2019 and May 2022 towards achieving the goal of plastic wastage. However, both the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent as well as the office of the Additional Solicitor General of India, for the second respondent, have not produced the waste management policy, which they were directed to produce before this Court. Both of them assured that, before the next hearing date, they would produce the same.
2. Mr.V.Chandrasekaran, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Union of India submitted a letter dated 25.05.2022 in C.353/Cleanliness/2002/Law, from the Senior Law Officer of the Southern Railway, Chennai, addressed to him, showing the steps that the Southern Railway as a single largest communication line in India, has taken towards achieving the object of eradicating plastic. The steps taken by them are credit-worthy.
3. The Bench had also made a last request to the learned Central Government Standing Counsel as to the steps that the Southern Railway would take to ensure that the pet-bottles disappear from the Railway Stations as well as in trains. The learned Central Government Standing Counsel stated that he would revert in this regard as well.
4. Being a communication line that runs Pan-India, the pro-active steps by the Railways would definitely be an example for the other Departments to follow.
5. List the Review Application on 28.07.2022.
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