The Environment Ministry has notified rules making it incumbent on a wide variety of groups — hotels, residential colonies, large bulk producers of consumer goods, ports, railway stations, airports and pilgrimage spots — to ensure that the solid waste generated in their facilities are treated and recycled. Though the onus on garbage management would continue to be the responsibility of municipal bodies, they would be allowed to charge user fees and levy spot fines for littering and non-segregation.
Though these rules would take effect from April 6, there would be a “transition period” of two to five years, beyond which fines would be imposed, said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Over the past month, the Central Environment Ministry has notified a bunch of rules spanning the recycling and treatment of a variety of refuse. “This is an essential component of Swachh Bharat (Mission)…only 70 per cent of garbage is collected and of that 30 per cent is treated…the rest is what you see around you,” said Mr. Javadekar at a press briefing.
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The rules on solid waste management have been amended after 16 years and a key provision is to formalise the profession of rag-picking. “Rag pickers form a critical arm of society…we cannot shoo them away,” said Mr. Javadekar. Nearly 62 million tons of waste is generated annually in India.