The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down the Centre’s request for extending the deadline for implementing the regulation on use of plastic packaging for “gutka” and tobacco product considered dangerous for human health due to its chemical effect.
The apex court, which had set a deadline in an order in December to frame the rules for regulating the gutka and tobacco packaging by keeping plastic away from it, gave two days for the government to inform it about the steps taken for notifying the legislation passed by Parliament.
“We are not going to give you more time. There is no question of giving more time. You should notify the law within two days,” a bench comprising Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly told the government counsel.
The top court pointed out that the government had only two days left with it for meeting the deadline of eight weeks for framing the rules.
In its December 4, 2010 order, the top court had set a deadline of eight weeks for enforcing the rule and the deadline would expire on February 4.
The rules though had been framed way back in September 2009 but they could not be enforced in absence of a formal notification.
ENDS