
HC orders Meghalaya to curb plastic use below 120 microns
The HC ordered that the state should take all steps to prevent its clandestine manufacture and inspect places where these are in frequent use, seize these items and deal with the offenders appropriately.
"For this purpose, administrative orders may be issued," a bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order on Wednesday.
The bench also said it did not find that any real action has been taken to ensure the removal of this category of plastic products from the market.
It said positive and effective steps to remove these items from the market would be the first step towards 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 HC said.
On the other hand, CM Conrad K Sangma has announced that the 39th National Games to be held in Meghalaya would be plastic-free, with plans to host a completely biodegradable sporting event.
In a recent visit to the Nongpiyur Government LP School, the CM had inspected the school toilets which were made of single use plastic waste through the S.U.P.E.R CAMPAIGN 2024 (Single Use Plastic Eco Recycling), an initiative by My Meghalaya My Pride & GreenAmmo in collaboration with Directorate of School Education & Literacy and State Project Office SEMAM-Samagra Shiksha, Govt of Meghalaya.
The CM also announced investment of approximately Rs 1,890 crores in a state-of-the-art factory that will produce starch-based bags and bottles.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
25 minutes ago
- Hans India
Bad weather forces cancellation of CM Nitish Kumar's visit to Katihar
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's scheduled visit to Sameli block in Katihar District was cancelled on Monday due to adverse weather conditions in Patna. The Chief Minister was expected to unveil a statue of renowned litterateur Anuppal Mandal and address a public gathering, apart from laying the foundation stone of projects of more than Rs 500 crore, but persistent heavy rain in Patna grounded his flight. This is the second postponement of the same programme, the first being on July 26 this year, also due to weather disruptions. Speaking on the cancellation, Katihar District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena said, 'Due to heavy rains in Patna and bad weather conditions, the Chief Minister's helicopter could not take off. The event at Sameli had to be cancelled despite all arrangements being in place.' Barari MLA Vijay Singh echoed the disappointment due to cancellation of the chief minister's program. 'The Chief Minister was coming to unveil the statue of great litterateur Anuppal Mandal and to address the public. But once again, the weather has let us down. The ATC has not allowed his chopper to take off from Patna.' The district and block administration had made comprehensive preparations for the CM's arrival, including arrangements for security, stage set-up, crowd control, and public address logistics. Thousands of people, especially from nearby rural areas, had started gathering at the venue, only to return disappointed once the cancellation was announced. According to administrative sources, efforts are already underway to reschedule the visit at the earliest suitable date. The Chief Minister is keen to connect with the people of Katihar, especially to highlight development initiatives and promote education and literature in the region. The legacy of Anuppal Mandal, whose statue was to be unveiled, holds cultural significance in the region. Locals hope the postponed programme will be executed soon, bringing both recognition to the late litterateur and a much-anticipated public address by the Chief Minister.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rs 3 a Year? ‘Clerical error' turns farmer ‘poorest man in India'; certificate goes viral
SATNA: A certificate showing a Madhya Pradesh farmer's annual income as Rs 3 went viral on social media with the internet dubbing him as the "poorest man in India", prompting the authorities to clarify that it was a "clerical error". A photograph of the income certificate issued to Ramswaroop (45), a resident of Nayagaon village under Kothi tehsil of Satna district, complete with the tehsildar's signature, surfaced on social media this week. The document, issued with the signature of Tehsildar Saurabh Dwivedi on July 22, was circulated widely on social media, with netizens calling Ramswaroop the "poorest man in the country". Officials soon scrambled into action, and by July 25, a new certificate was issued, boosting the farmer's reported annual income to Rs 30,000, ie, Rs 2,500 per month. The original certificate implied Ramswaroop earned 25 paise a month. "It was a clerical error, which has been corrected. A new income certificate has been issued," Dwivedi clarified. The Madhya Pradesh Congress went all out to ridicule the blunder, sharing the original certificate on X. "In MP chief minister Mohan Yadav's rule, we discovered India's poorest man! Annual income: just Rs 3!" the party said in its post. "Isn't it shocking? A mission to make people poor? Because now the chair itself eats the commission," it alleged. PTI


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Not Rafale Or F-35, Indian Army Wanted This Air Defence System For Rs 1.12 Lakh Crore
Last Updated: India is investing Rs 1.12 lakh crore in the QRSAM system, known as the "Baby S-400," developed by DRDO to counter drones and low-flying threats, enhancing air defence. The push to turn India into an air-tight fortress is gaining momentum. After the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, the Centre has accelerated military modernisation with a mega project valued at over Rs 3 lakh crore. Among the headline approvals is a Rs 1.12 lakh crore push to bolster India's air defence capabilities with the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system. Here's what's changing on the ground. The Ministry of Defence has just greenlit military procurement proposals exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore. These include 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) worth Rs 44,000 crore, but the big-ticket item is the Rs 36,000 crore allocated for six regiments of QRSAMs. Out of these, three regiments will be delivered to the Army and Air Force. The QRSAM isn't just any system. It's being called the 'Baby S-400", a nod to its smaller size but strategic importance. Developed by the DRDO, this air defence system can neutralise enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles within a 30 km radius. While that range may seem modest compared to the 400 km reach of the Russian-origin S-400 and the 100–200 km envelope of the Akash system, QRSAM's quick reaction time and battlefield mobility give it a distinct tactical edge. That's where QRSAM steps in. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan, rattled by India's precision strikes, launched a barrage of drones, reportedly with Chinese and Turkish support. Hundreds were detected. India's Akash systems held the line. Still, experts say the absence of a mobile, quick-launch system like QRSAM was felt sharply. Now, with six regiments approved, the game is shifting. But it's not enough. According to defence officials, the Indian Army had originally asked for 11 QRSAM regiments. The Air Force reportedly had a similar requirement. Meeting both demands would require 22 regiments in total, pegged at a cost of roughly Rs 1.12 lakh crore. That's how the number came into play. Each QRSAM regiment costs about Rs 6,000 crore. While six have been cleared, that leaves a shortfall, one that defence planners say could prove critical if not addressed. Why does it matter? Because India's adversaries, especially China and Pakistan, are investing heavily in stealth drones, cruise missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities. The battlefield is shifting toward high-speed, low-visibility threats. QRSAM fills the gap between long-range missile shields like S-400 and medium-range options like Akash. If fully deployed, QRSAM would add another layer to India's multi-tier air defence strategy, creating a net that could detect and destroy nearly anything from UAVs to 5th-generation fighter jets. This isn't just about defence. It's about deterrence. With three regiments apiece going to the Army and Air Force, the system is finally getting into deployment phase. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.