DHAKA: The High Court on Sunday asked the government to explain within four weeks why production, use and recycling of plastic bottles for packaging water, soft drinks and medicines should not be stopped.

An HC bench comprising Justice Mirza Hossain Haider and Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam passed the order after a primary hearing of a writ petition filed in the public interest.

Barrister Badruddoza Badal and Sharif U Ahmed and Mirza Al Mahmud moved the writ in the court.

They said the court also asked the authorities to explain why packaging and preservation of water, soft drinks and medicines in plastic cans and bottles should not be stopped.

The HC also wanted to know why the government should not be ordered to form a committee to oversee the withdrawl of all raw materials from the market used for producing plastic bottles.

Secretaries of health, food, law and forest and environment and director generals of health, environment department were made respondents.

BDST: 2145 HRS, FEB 16, 2014