NEW DELHI : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Jammu and Kashmir Government and state pollution control board to file a comprehensive report before it about the hospitals which were not complying with bio-medical waste rules and the action proposed to be taken against them.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said that report filed by the state pollution control board in relation to the collection, transportation and disposal of the bio-medical waste by different hospitals was not in accordance with law and its affidavit was inadequate.
“Normally, we would have directed coercive steps against the erring authorities,” the bench said and granted a final opportunity to the government and Jammu and Kashmir pollution control board to comply with the directions without any delay.
“A complete and comprehensive report shall be filed, stating the actions taken against the hospitals in the entire state which are operating without obtaining consent of the board. It should also be stated as to how many hospitals including the big hospitals catering to large number of patients of Jammu and Kashmir are not complying with the bio- medical waste rules and what action is taken or proposed to be taken against them,” the tribunal said.
“The report shall also deal with the status of bio- medical waste dumping sites and whether they are adequately prepared for the dumping of the bio-medical waste,” it said.
The tribunal observed that authorities have not “acted properly” in dealing with the issue of waste to energy plant.
“Srinagar alone generates 400 metric tonnes of waste every day indicating as to what facilities are required before the entire city is converted into a dumping ground,” it said.
The counsel appearing for the state told the tribunal that even after extending the time for submission of tender, they have not received any tender for waste to energy plant.
During the hearing, the state pollution control board filed its affidavit in which it stated that a joint inspection team comprising of officials and a representative of Central Pollution Control Board had inspected different sites.
The bench has posted the matter for hearing on August 11.
The tribunal had earlier directed concerned authorities to conduct a joint inspection regarding hospitals and disposal of bio-medical waste in the entire city of Srinagar and Jammu.
