No ban on asbestos: Supreme Court

India’s apex court on Friday dismissed an appeal seeking ban in selling and trading of asbestos, considered to be a health hazard but hugely used by the manufacturing companies for roofing the working place.

The Supreme Court, however, directed the Union and state governments to put in place a body to regulate its use and manufacturing.

The SC bench, comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar, whilst dismissing the public interest lawsuit filed by NGO Kalyaneshwari, said the selling of asbestos and its used could be controlled by an appropriate body.

The petition was moved in 2004 seeking its ban on the grounds that it poses serious health problems for the people living under roofs made up of asbestos.

The court asked various state governments to follow a 1995 ruling of the apex court, spelling out the guidelines and frameworks for the use of the building material, generally used for erecting temporary shades and walls.