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CPCB issues notice to MCC for failure in Solid Waste Management


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, 23 October 2015:The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued notices to Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for severe negligence in implementing Solid Waste Management Rules 2000 in the city.


CPCB issues notice to MCC for failure in Solid Waste Management


Taking note of its internal report which showed severe negligence on part of municipal bodies in managing solid waste and CPCB issued notice to civic authorities of 184 cities/towns across the country asking them to pull up their socks or face action.

Besides, the environment ministry has decided to depute 20 joint secretary-level officers to undertake assessment and periodic review of all 43 Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) - mainly industrial clusters -- across the country to see whether the central action plan is being properly implemented or not to minimize the impact of pollution. Mangalore Baikampady Industrial Area is one of the Critically Polluted Area in the country.

Under the notices to civic authorities, municipal commissioners have been asked to complete all civic formalities and "seek consent" under the Water Act within 60 days to set up sewage and solid waste management facilities.

The CPCB, in its notice, also asked civic bodies to statutorily comply with provisions of the Water Pollution Control Act and rules relating to Municipal Solid Waste Management. "These directions under the Act are statutory and non-compliance of these directives will attract legal proceedings under the law," it said.

If the local officers fail to adhere to dos and don’ts under the existing laws and dither on complying with the notices of the central pollution watchdog, they will be deemed to be guilty under the Water Act and the Environment Protection Act and will be liable to be proceeded against in a court of law.

The CPCB swung into action after it observed that waste dumped unscientifically into landfills was causing serious environmental damage including water and air pollution. It also noted that majority of the civic authorities did not have a systematic, time-bound action plan for management of municipal work.

The ’Swachh Bharat’ campaign could not happen without the wholehearted participation of corporation, notice said.

The municipal authorities have also been asked to submit a time-bound action plan for proper collection, treatment and disposal of sewage. "Such plan shall be submitted by the municipal authority to the state pollution control board (SPCB) with copy to the CPCB within a period of 90 days", it said.