*Delay will persist as DPRs yet to be formulated
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 7: Adopting contemptuous attitude towards the directives of the State High Court, the Housing and Urban Development Department has not shown any seriousness towards having proper solid waste management facility at the district level so as to avoid the grave risk of health hazards being posed by unscientific disposal. Contrary to the tall claims, even Detailed Project Reports, which are the basic steps for any development activity, in respect of many districts have not been formulated till date.
The issue of solid waste management came to the notice of State High Court in the year 2013 through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) titled Advocate Sanjeet Kumar Versus State and Others. Even several Miscellaneous Applications were filed in this PIL keeping in view the importance of the subject.
From time to time, the High Court passed numerous directions to the concerned authorities of the State for coming up with the steps being taken to establish solid waste management facility. But, only peace-meal status reports were filed, which finally invited strictures from the High Court.
On May 20, 2015, a Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to collect and compile the data from different districts and submit a comprehensive report relating to all the districts so that necessary, effective and result oriented orders are passed in the matter.
“Divisional Commissioner Jammu appears to have not understood the earlier orders dated June 2, 2014, July 9, 2014 and September 10, 2014 in right perspective”, the Division Bench had observed and directed the Divisional Commissioner to file fresh status report indicating the steps taken by administration in each of the districts to identify the land for setting up of solid waste management facility and also the steps taken for setting up such facilities.
Though one part of the direction was complied with by identifying the land in majority of the districts, the Housing and Urban Development Department is still soft-paddling on establishment of solid waste management facilities in the districts, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
“This can be gauged from the fact that till date Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in respect of only few districts have been prepared and placed at the disposal of the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, which comes under the administrative control of Housing and Urban Development Department”, sources informed. In this way, the department is soft-paddling on the issue, which otherwise is of immense importance not only for the High Court but also for the Governor N N Vohra, who stressed on having such a facility at district level a number of times including during the recently concluded Governor’s Rule.
In respect of Udhampur district, sufficient amount was earmarked under Prime Minister’s Task Force for establishment of solid waste management facility but work has not been started till date despite transfer of land to the Urban Local Bodies Department. “The land is not a major issue as the same has already been transferred to the Urban Local Bodies in many districts”, sources added.
Disclosing that no timeframe has been fixed for submission of Detailed Project Reports of left over districts, sources said, “it is unlikely that Housing and Urban Development Department would start work on solid waste management facilities at the district level in near future as it would be only after receiving Detailed Project Reports of all the districts that the department would be able to approach the Union Ministry for Housing and Urban Development for funding”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Union Ministry can provide funds to the tune of only 25% of the project cost under its scheme and remaining expenditure is to be borne either by the Housing and Urban Development Department of Jammu and Kashmir or managed by roping in private companies under Public Private Partnership mode.
“All these aspects clearly indicate that having solid waste management facility at district level is still a distant dream”, sources said while disclosing that some officers of the Housing and Urban Development Department are planning to visit Bombay and Pune to access the viability of using their pattern of solid waste management facility in Jammu and Kashmir.
When contacted, a senior officer of the Housing and Urban Development Department admitted that no time-frame can be fixed for having solid waste management facility at the district level. He, however, said that keeping in view the poor financial condition of the State, only Public Private Partnership mode would be the best option.
It is worthwhile to mention here that even new Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has flagged solid waste management in cities and towns as an area of concern for the Government. Now, it is to be seen how she manages to fast-track the process of preparation of Detailed Project Reports.
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