NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench has asked the UP Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to take “meaningful steps” to ensure scientific disposal of medical waste to prevent damage to the environment and the public health.
“Mere authorization will not meet the mandate of law. The compliance of the Rules must ensure scientific disposal of medical waste to prevent damage to the environment and the public health,” the bench said in an order while hearing a matter on compliance of Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016.
The Tribunal had earlier directed the Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (UPSPCB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to inventorise the occupiers as required under the Rules and take other steps for compliance.
Besides, states were asked to furnish reports pertaining to the management of bio-medical waste.
In March, UPSPCB reported that 16,075 healthcare facilities have been identified in the state. While authorisation has been granted only to 9,540 facilities.
In Delhi, as against authorization of 4,275 healthcare facilities, the total units operating are 7,602 as per the data of Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities.
Apart from ensuring compliance of the rules and registration of facilities, the Tribunal asked both states to must have a mechanism for inspections and prosecution against the defaulters as well as recovery of compensation for the damage by June.
By Sushmi Dey/TNN
