NT NETWORK
Panaji
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct environmental audit and recover compensation from manufacturing and e-commerce companies for violation of environmental norms for excess use of plastics in packaging.
The order was passed by a Bench comprising of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (Chairperson), Justice S P Wangdi (Judicial Member) and Dr Nagin Nanda (Expert Member) in two original applications seeking enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility under the Plastic Waste Management Rules,2016.
The companies named in these applications include Amazon, Flipkart, Coca-Cola India Pvt Ltd (CCIPL), Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd, PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd., Bisleri International Pvt Ltd., Parle Agro Pvt Ltd, Patanjali Peya Private Ltd, Nourish Co-Beverages Ltd (Himalayan Water) and Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corp Ltd.
The order was passed after the Tribunal noted that the CPCB did not mention any coercive measure adopted including invoking of “Polluter Pays” principle for enforcing the statutory norms.
The court observed that the report filed by CPCB mentions one or other reasons for not enforcing the law but does not mention the coercive measures adopted either directly by CPCB or in coordination with the State PCBs/PCCs.
They expressed its displeasure at lack of action against excessive use of plastic and asked CPCB to consider ordering environmental audit against the concerned entities and assess and recover compensation for violation of environmental norms, following due process of law.
The tribunal sought an action taken report in the matter before October 14, the next date by e-mail.
The court demanded personal presence of member secretary, CPCB during the hearing on the next date through video conferencing.
