Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 16: The High Court has warned of imposing penalty in case status report is not filed by the Government with regard to implementation of Solid Waste Management (SWM) System in J&K and Ladakh.
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In this regard the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Rajesh Sekhri while expressing its displeasure over non filing of report despite granting several opportunities said Rs 50,000 shall be imposed in case report is not filed by or before next date of hearing in the matter.
The information has been sought by the Division Bench in a PIL seeking slew of directions for treatment of Solid Waste. Authorities have to submit a status report before the court indicating the number of tenders floated by them for implementation of the SWM system in the provinces of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh at all levels.
Authorities in terms of court directions have to give details of implementation of SWM in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Public Health Engineering department and Tourism department and set out the steps taken to address the issue of solid waste generated in Agri and Horticulture facilities in the UT’s of J&K and Ladakh including solid waste in all tourist resorts and solid waste accumulated in the Irrigation and Flood Control department in course of seasonal rains, flow of water etc.
These departments have to file responses with regard to implementation of SWM waste rules 2016. Commissioner Secretaries of each department are under direction to implement the provisions of SWM rules within timeframe and any lethargy or inaction will be viewed as dereliction of their duty.
The Commissioner / Secretary of the Housing Department has to file a specific compliance report setting out the steps taken with regard to ban on procurement, sale and distribution of all kinds of plastic, polythene and other non-biodegradable packing material.
The order read that if there is a specific ban on the use of these materials, then the concerned officers should have to effectively implement the provisions of SWM rules in letter and spirit, keeping in mind the fragile ecosystem of both UTs.
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