Sustainability

NGT Calls For Stricter Measures To Combat E-Waste Pollution

It directed the CPCB "to provide details relating to the generation of e-waste, its treatment, the treatment facility, and the gap" by states and Union territories and file a fresh report within six weeks

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NGT also asked the board to mention the action that would be taken against the states and Union territories not complying with the E-Waste (Management) Rules. Photo: by freepik
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The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board to file a fresh report on the generation and treatment of electronic waste by states and Union territories.  

It also asked the board to mention the action that would be taken against the states and Union territories not complying with the E-Waste (Management) Rules.  

The green body was hearing a plea claiming non-compliance with its previous directions for the rules' "scientific enforcement".  

In a recent order, a bench of National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had filed a report dated August 30, mentioning the action taken by states and Union Territories regarding the green panel's directions.  

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The bench, also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, said the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, were enforced on April 1, 2023, and assigned responsibility to the CPCB for taking action against violations.  

The CPCB also had to conduct random checks to ensure compliance with the rules, conduct training and awareness programmes and enforce provisions to reduce the use of hazardous substances in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment, it said.  

"We find that though in the report, the CPCB has mentioned the non-compliance or partial non-compliance by some of the states or Union territories, the report does not reflect any action which is taken by the CPCB for that non-compliance and the report also does not reflect the extent of the target that has been achieved for the year 2023-2024," the tribunal said.  

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It directed the CPCB "to provide details relating to the generation of e-waste, its treatment, the treatment facility, and the gap" by states and Union territories and file a fresh report within six weeks.  

The matter has been posted to December 12 for further proceedings.  

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