Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 1: The High Court today sought compliance report from the Government relating to the solid waste management (SWM) and action plan regarding the issue.
The Division Bench of Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sindhu Sharma while hearing PIL on protection and preservation of environs of Sonamarg tourist resort, directed the authorities to place the compliance with regard to SWM and action plan with regard to the issue.
Government was directed that a meeting in this regard be convened by the Chief Secretary of the State of Jammu and Kashmir with all stakeholders and all the issues relating to Solid Waste Management may be examined.”A firm action plan regarding the same shall be placed before this court”, read the direction.
State counsel B A Dar (Sr. AAG) informed the court that the ‘Action Plan’ is under consideration of the Government and the same be placed before the public for suggestion and comments and thereafter further necessary steps be taken by the authorities.
The Union of India has also sought some time to file an affidavit indicating therein various schemes and the funds; funds allocation relating to Solid Waste Management as well as the specific purposes for which the same have to be utilized.
Central Government is also under direction of the court to disclose as to what have been the funds which have been made available to the State of Jammu and Kashmir for several purposes towards the Solid Waste Management for the last five years.
The Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar was also directed to inform this court about the amount spent and the steps taken for the public awareness on Solid Waste Management.
Court on the importance of SWM has made a serious point with regard to the failure of the respondents to manage bio medical wastes generated across the State and said such failure on part of authorities can prove to be a serious danger to public health.
State Government in its Affidavit has stated that out of Rs 12.11 Crores received from the Government of India for the purpose, only Rs. 1.22 Crores have been utilized and from this revelation court said it appears that no efforts have been or are being made towards the Solid Waste Management in the State.
Court has already made observation that Solid waste Management today is a scientific concept and modern technology is available within the country which would enable addressing the problem before it reaches unmanageable positions. “In fact, Solid waste is being used even for fuel and energy generation apart from other uses”, observation read.
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