The Hindu 09.11.2010
Direction to officials on solid waste rules
Staff Correspondent
MYSORE: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued directions to the deputy commissioners to ensure that all local bodies coming under their jurisdictions comply with the provisions of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, 2000.
Board Chairman A.S. Sadashivaiah has written to the deputy commissioners in this regard, sources in KSPCB told The Hindu.
The directions have been issued at a time when the Supreme Court has asked State Boards to file affidavits on the delay of some local bodies in identifying land for the disposal of municipal solid waste.
“The unscientific disposal of MSW affects public health, causes ground water pollution, soil pollution and spreads infectious diseases. The matter is of serious nature and needs urgent attention. Any delay or negligence in implementing the MSW rules will definitely affect public health,” says the Chairman in his notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Mandya, a copy of which is available with The Hindu.
Mr. Sadashivaiah states that the Lok Adalat has taken a serious view of the matter as most local bodies in the State have not implemented the MSW rules within the time schedule of December 31, 2003, as specified.
According to the Board, the district magistrates or the deputy commissioners of the concerned districts have the overall responsibility of enforcing the rules, while the board has been empowered to monitor the compliance of the standards prescribed.
For example, in Mandya district, the board has reviewed the progress and found that the commissioning of landfill sites has not been done in the town municipal councils and taluk panchayats of K.R. Pet, Maddur, Malavalli, Nagamangala, Pandavapura and Srirangapatna. The Deputy Commissioner has been directed to respond within 30 days.
