The Environment Ministry has revised solid waste management rules after 16 years. Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar said that the rules are now applicable beyond municipal areas and will extend to urban agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, areas under the control of Indian Railways, airports, airbase, port and harbour, defence establishments, special economic zones, state and Central government organisations, places of pilgrims, and sites religious & historical importance.
He pointed out that 62 million tonnes (mnt) of waste is generated annually in the country at present, out of which 5.6 mnt is plastic waste, 0.17 mnt is biomedical waste, hazardous waste generation is 7.90 mnt per annum and 15 lakh tonne is e-waste. The Minister said that the responsibility of generators has been introduced to segregate waste into three categories ? wet, dry and hazardous waste.
Javadekar also added that the generator will have to pay ?User Fee? to the waste collector and a ?Spot Fine? for littering and non-segregation, the quantum of which will be decided by the local bodies.