Himachal court extends stay on polythene-packed chips, candy ban

In another reprieve to MNCs, the Himachal Pradesh High Court Tuesday further stayed the state government order imposing a ban on potato chips and candies packaged in polythene.

A division bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Rajeev Sharma stayed the ban till Nov 19.

Earlier, a division bench of Justice D.D. Sud and Justice Karol had stayed the ban till Sep 3.

The government issued a notification June 26, banning sale and stocking from July 1 of 25 food items, including chips and biscuits, which are available in plastic and non-biodegradable packs.

The notification came in the wake of the high court order Jan 10 that directed the government to ban the items packed in plastic packaging from April 1.

But later on the request of the government, the court had extended the time limit to implement the orders by three months.

As per the court's earlier order, eatables like potato chips, cookies, candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolates and noodles would not be available in polythene packs.

Essential items like milk and vegetable oils are, however, exempted from the ban.