Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, 22/07/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Central Pollution Control Board Vs State of Andaman & Nicobar & Others dated 22/07/2019 regarding implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (PWM Rules) and directions issued by the CPCB on 30.06.2016 to implement the thickness norms for carry bags, constitution of squads for vigilance, preventing littering of plastic waste in public, submission of annual reports and action plan for management, quantification and characterization in every city/town of all the States/UTs.
CPCB on March 12, 2019 has informed NGT that states were not furnishing information and not taking steps to take preventive and regulatory measures envisaged under the PWM Rules. Though, ban was imposed on the use of plastic carry bags in many States, the same was not enforced and burning of plastic waste was continuing, apart from littering of plastic waste on railway tracks, bus stations Accordingly, the Tribunal had directed the States/UTs to ensure compliance of the PWM Rules requiring furnishing of reports as well as taking other steps. In default, the defaulting States were to be required to pay compensation @ Rs. 1 Crore per month after 01.05.2019. CPCB was to furnish status of compliance.
As per report of the CPCB filed on 30.05.2019, annual reports have not been submitted by States of Haryana, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep and Mizoram till 30.04.2019. CPCB in its report made further observations and recommendations which included SPCBs/PCCs to ensure that Annual Report on implementation of PWM Rules, 2016, as amended in 2018 is complete in all respect and submitted timely to CPCB i.e. on 31st July each year along with Action plan.
After going through the CPCB report, the Tribunal has given directions to the States and UTs to take further action meeting the gaps pointed out as per the timeline laid down under the PWM Rules. The CPCB may monitor the same and furnish its further status report by August 30, 2019.