SRINAGAR The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Saturday sought a report union of India, indicating various schemes and funds allocation relating to solid waste management as well as the specific purposes for which the same have to be utilized in Jammu and Kashmir.
A division o the court also directed the Union of India 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 court also sought report with regard to its direction, asking meeting be convened by the Chief Secretary of the State of Jammu and Kashmir with all stakeholders for examining all the issues relating to Solid Waste Management.
A firm action plan regarding the same shall be placed before this Court, the court said. the court had also directed Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar to inform the Court about the amount spent and the steps taken for the public awareness on Solid Waste Management.
The court was hearing a matter relating to the Solid Waste Management in the State. Amongst the grievances laid by the petitioners, it has been pointed out that not only was their non-segregation of the solid waste collected but also only 10% of the segregated waste has been taken to landfill sites and there was no planning about the effective utilization and conversion of the waste into productive uses. The petitioners have stated that the management of waste and waste utilization could be a valuable employment resource to the State. A serious point has been raised with regard to the failure of the respondents to manage biomedical wastes generated across the State. The petitioners have also pointed that the Central Government has pumped a large amount of funds into the State for the purposes of Solid Waste Management under the Swachh Bharat Mission as well as Urban/Grameen measures with effect from 2 October 2014 and that the funds are being sent by the Central Government for specific purposes including the dissemination of information and increasing public awareness on sanitation and waste issues.
The petitioners have also pointed out that the respondents are confining the projects under the Swachh
Bharat Mission to only construction of toilets whereas the Solid Waste Management is an essential part thereof. The court has already observed that Solid waste Management today was 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, the court had observed.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
