SHILLONG, June 25: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state to take comprehensive action to enforce its earlier orders banning the production, storage, circulation, and use of single-use plastic (SUP) bags.
This Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which was admitted in August 2024 by a bench led by the then Chief Justice, Justice S Vaidyanathan, noted that although plastic had long been used for storage, its harmful effects warranted a total ban. In its order dated August 16, 2024, the Court had directed the state to implement measures toward this end.
In compliance with that directive, a report dated March 11, 2025, was submitted by the respondents. The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh, reviewed the report on May 14, 2025.
The Bench observed that effective action had been taken only in East Khasi Hills district, while other districts had seen minimal or no implementation. Consequently, the Court issued a detailed order directing all Deputy Commissioners to conduct awareness camps, publicly announce the health hazards of plastic use, ensure that SUP items below 120 microns were not manufactured, imported, or sold in the state, conduct extensive inspections to identify illegal use of banned plastic, and take strict action against offenders.
On Wednesday, the counsel for the state submitted a compliance report detailing implementation across 11 districts, with the exception of East Jaintia Hills. The Court directed that the authorities of East Jaintia Hills must file their compliance report before the next hearing.
The Court, after reviewing the report, stated, “We are quite satisfied with the steps taken. We note that the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills, had issued a prohibitory order banning the sale and use of plastic carry bags of less than 120 microns from June 2025.” It also found that similar prohibitory orders had been issued in South Garo Hills (Baghmara) and other districts named in the report. Additionally, awareness campaigns, monitoring mechanisms, and corrective actions had been initiated.
However, the Court observed, “The action taken seems to be at the initial stage. The prohibitory orders need to be strictly implemented.”
The Court directed that comprehensive enforcement must follow the spirit and letter of its August 16, 2024, order, as well as subsequent directives — the latest being the order dated May 14, 2025.
The state respondent has been asked to file a supplementary action taken report on the next date of hearing of the PIL.
