I
Sir,
This refers to article titled enforcers turning violators (Daily Excelsior 17.07.2019). I agree with the author that Government organizations who have to enforce various laws are themselves involved in its violation. It is disheartening to know that municipal authorities have failed to implement Solid Waste Rules 2016. Even before enactment of 2016 rules the solid waste rules of 2000 also directed the municipal bodies to take steps vis a vis management of solid waste. Solid waste is to be collected in a segregated manner from house-holds but not even five percent of the waste is segregated and treated across J&K. Biggest violation by municipal committees is setting up of garbage dump sites near water bodies especially around Ferozpur nallah in Magam , Doodh Ganga in Chadoora and Wullar lake in Bandipora. Govt must come out with a concrete programme on solid waste management. Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Deputy Commissioners also need to explain why they failed to fulfil their mandate assigned to them under Solid Waste Management Rules 2016
Dr Fozia Kouser
Srinagar
II
Sir,
Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 are to be enforced by Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Committees across country. In Jammu & Kashmir state these rules are violated by the same authorities who are its implementing agencies and this is the biggest tragedy.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has to collect the waste from every residential house in a segregated way by providing two dustbins (green and blue) to every household. Several NGOs have been put into service as well who help the people to segregate the waste into Bio Degradable and Non Biodegradable material across 30 plus wards of Srinagar. These young boys and girls are by and large doing commendable job but SMC has no adequate vehicles to carry this segregated waste with the result it is again mixed by sanitation staff while loading it in big compactors.
Municipalities have converted open plots , state land on roadsides and water-bodies into dumping grounds which is again a violation of SWM Rules. How unfortunate it was when police resorted to pellet firing on the protesters who were agitating against converting a piece of land at Wahibug Pulwama into a garbage dump site few days back ? If this newly created dumping ground is located near population, how can Govt allow this ? This is again violation of SWM Rules 2016 and authorities must seriously think over these issues. If municipalities can’t themselves implement solid waste management rules (SWM Rules 2016) , how can they expect people to follow these guidelines ? State Level Monitoring Committee headed by Justice Janak Raj Kotwal on implementation of solid waste rules must take a serious notice of these violations by municipal authorities
Nazir Ahmad Yatoo
PDP Leader
Charar-e-Sharief
Budgam
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