Rajasthan High Court bans Single-Use Plastic in Court premises in the State

To mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the Full Court of Rajasthan High Court has unanimously resolved to ban single-use plastic and Thermocol products in the premises of the High Court and all subordinate courts in the State..The ban will extend to High Court Guest House at Jaipur and Jodhpur, canteens and restaurants operating inside the premises of Courts in the State as well as official functions, conferences and any other occasion..The resolution was passed on September 28 and the circular to this effect states that while the government of Rajasthan had banned single use plastic in 2010, the implementation of the same has not “sufficiently worked on ground”. Similarly, the circular also points out that the recent decision of the Government of India to ban single use plastic from October 2 onwards may turn out to be futile without public awareness and commitment towards the same..In the interest of the public at large as well as the institution, the Full Court of Rajasthan High Court thus, passed this resolution. The circular states,.“As a mark of respect to the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th Birth anniversary and in the interest of the institution and public at large, Hon’ble the Full Court has unanimously resolved not to use the banned single use plastic/thermocol in any manner in the premises of the Rajasthan High Court and High Court guest house both at Jodhpur and Jaipur, as also in the premises of all the Subordinate Courts, Canteens/restaurants in the premises of all the Court of the State and also during official functions, conferences and any other occasions.”.For clarity, the circular also lists out that items that will be effectively banned pursuant to the resolution..The Full Court of Calcutta High Court had also banned single-use plastic in its premises. This was by way of a resolution passed on September 25.[Read Circular issued by Rajasthan High Court]