The High Court on Monday directed the BBMP to publish the reports prepared by the BBMP Expert Committee and Technical Committee on solid waste management on its website and invite objections from the public before making rules to implement solid waste management effectively.

The court said suggestions can be sent directly to the BBMP through either through email or file them before the court during the next hearing of a bunch of public interest litigations (on June 28) filed seeking an efficient solid waste management system in the city.

A division bench consisting of Justice N Kumar and Justice B V Nagarathna also directed the State government to place the details on the orders passed by the court in related cases and the action taken by it based on them before the next hearing.

The court also directed the government to frame rules to regulate the construction waste and make provisions to impose hefty fines against those who violate the rules.

Asking the BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, who is set to retire by the end of this month, to assist the court in dealing with the cases related to the solid waste management, the bench observed,

“Siddaiah has been efficient in implementing the orders of the court and forthright in making his submissions before the court. Even the petitioners want him to continue as the commissioner till the issue is resolved”.

The court also directed the BBMP’s Special Committee for Solid Waste Management to continue to assist the court even after Siddaiah demits office as the BBMP Commissioner. It also asked Siddaiah to make suggestions to deal with issues that have not been dealt with in both the mentioned reports.

The court directed the petitioners to implead bulk generators like hoteliers, contractors, builders, industrialists etc through their respective associations to enable the court to pass the orders in the case after hearing all the stakeholders. 

During the course of the hearing, the court observed, “There should be no discrimination against the rich or poor while dealing with waste. After all waste is a waste. People who litter or dump construction waste indiscriminately should be severely dealt with. A fine of `5,000 should be imposed for the first violation and the subsequent violation should attract a fine of `10,000. Provisions should also be made to cut off the water and electricity connections and to cancel the licences of the repeated offenders.”