Tribunal invokes Precautionary Principle; directs government to frame policy for schools and public buildings within six months

New Delhi, Oct 31, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has declined to impose an immediate nationwide ban on asbestos cement roofing sheets, including those used in schools, but has directed the Centre and concerned ministries to prepare a detailed action plan to phase out their use in educational and public buildings. Delivering its order in O.A. No. 298/2023 – Dr. Raja Singh vs. Union of India & Ors., the Tribunal invoked the Precautionary Principle under Section 20 of the NGT Act, 2010, emphasizing that environmental harm should be prevented even in the absence of complete scientific certainty. It observed that while there is no conclusive Indian study proving a

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