Poll time: NGOs seek ban on flex boards

Nitish Sharma

As the state Assembly elections near, a large number of flex boards and hoardings of various candidates will come up across the state. Not only political parties but also educational and religious institutions and business houses install promotional hoardings.

NGOs and social orgnisations have started demanding a ban on the use of flex boards due to their hazardous nature.

Naresh Bhardwaj, a member of Kurukshetra-based Green Earth NGO, says, “The Assembly elections are approaching and thousands of flex boards will be installed by political parties and their candidates for canvassing. As these boards will be of no use after the elections, there is a possibility that they will be burnt. Flex boards are made of tear-resistant, polyester-knitted fabric laminated with PVC films, which are non-biodegradable and cause environmental and health hazards. They emit poisonous gases when burnt. While the government is working to reduce the usage of single-use plastic considering its ill-effects, there are no efforts to reduce the use of flex boards”.

Bhardwaj says, “We have requested the Election Commission of India, state Chief Secretary and the Haryana Pollution Control Board to ensure strict compliance with the NGT orders of 2016 and provisions of the Haryana Non-biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act 1998 by imposing a complete ban on the manufacturing, storage, sale, and usage of flex hoardings and banners made of PVC and other non-biodegradable materials for publicity”.

“Even during the panchayat elections, we had raised the matter but the Election Commission refused to intervene. It told us that only the Haryana Government can issue orders in this regard,” says Bhardwaj.

The NGO has now approached the National Green Tribunal and requested it to issue necessary directions to the Central and state governments for concrete steps in this regard.

Karan Aggarwal, a social worker in Ambala, says, “When social media is being used actively for advertisements and mass campaigning, the use of environment and health-damaging hoardings made of PVC and other non-biodegradable materials is not desirable. Moreover, flex boards that are installed at public places and along roads also become a cause of accidents. They affect visibility on roads and deface public property”.