A division bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar and Justice D K Jain asked the government to inform the court by October 11 about the latest position on the draft notification approved by it on prohibiting the manufacture of recycled plastic materials.

Standing counsel H S Phoolka told the court that a draft notification issued by the government on November 20 last year had already been approved by the Law Ministry after examining about 200 objections received from various parties including plastic bags manufacturers.

He said the final notification has to be sent to the Election Commission (EC) for approval in view of the code of conduct which was in force in view of the announcement of the election schedule.

Advocate B L Wadhera, who had filed the public interest litigation (PIL)seeking to ban all kinds of recycled plastic material said there should be no necessity to involve the EC as the issue related to the general health of the public.

The court, however, said that it would not say anything on the government's decision to approach the EC.

The petitioner had said that recycled plastic bags, cups being used for serving tea, coffee, juice and ice cream by vendors were dangerous for human health as these contained toxic materials.