SC upholds ban on use of reinforced paper cups in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has upheld an order of the Madras High Court which had banned the use of reinforced paper cups introduced in Tamil Nadu in 2019, saying the state government's policy was in public interest.
A bench comprising justices S Ravindra Bhat and PS Narasimha noted that the report submitted by IIT (on the basis of which, the ban was first imposed) states that use of reinforced paper cups would be deleterious to the environment as it would lead to cutting of more trees, and the recycling of which, will cause more pollution.
"Given that there is the scientific basis for the ban, and it is the state government's policy decision to ban numerous categories of single-use plastic products, in public interest, there is little room or reason, for this court to interfere on ground of merits of the ban," the bench said.
The apex court rejected the contention of the petitioner that the ban is overinclusive and disproportionate.
"The appellant's right under Article 19(1)(g) has, without a doubt, been restricted; but in the larger interest of the general public to enjoy a pollution-free environment the restriction was reasonable as per Article 19(6) of the Constitution of India, and is therefore, upheld," the bench said.
The top court, however, directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to re-consider the ban on non-woven bags afresh in light of the amended Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
"This court is of the considered opinion that the arguments in the case of the non-woven bag, stand on a slightly different footing. These bags, it appears are reusable in nature to some extent. Their composition/proportion of polypropene and filler used, in the manufacture of these bags, is customisable," it said.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Paper Cup Manufactures Association challenging an order of the Madras High Court which dismissed their plea against a government order banning the manufacture, storage, supply, transport, sale, distribution, and use of one-time use and throwaway plastics.
Paper cups are usually lined with wax or plastics.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
