NEWS

Source: India Today, New Delhi, July 19, 2017:- The National Green Tribunal today slammed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for terming cigarette butts as biodegradable and directed it to clarify its stand on the issue. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the MoEF to take clear instructions within a week regarding its stand on declaring cigarette and bidi butts "toxic waste". "Butts of cigarette and bidi are hazardous in nature. How can you call them biodegradable? You take clear instructions and inform us," the bench said. The observation came after an advocate representing MoEF told the green panel that cigarette butts are biodegradable. When the bench enquired as to how they have come to this conclusion, he said that the main counsel was busy before a Constitution bench in the Supreme Court and sought adjournment. bench, however, said, "Constitution bench or no Constitution bench, ask him (the lawyer) to be present before us.

Read More: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ngt-slams-moef-for-terming-cigarette-butts-as-biodegradable/1/1005704.html