LEGACY WASTE CONTINUES TO BRING EMBARRASSMENT TO HARYANA

Finding the working of authorities unsatisfactory in Haryana, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Haryana government to clear legacy waste in several districts which continues to bring the state embarrassment along with health hazards. In wake of the prevailing scenario, bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also directed the state government to constitute a committee to ensure removal of waste from the concerned sites but even after the issuance of a certain set of guidelines, the things remains unchanged which is a matter of serious concern requiring the state government to come up with requisite steps.Thus, the disposal of the legacy waste (old waste) seems an uphill task for Haryana as the State Government has requested the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for exemption in time limit, stating that due to some reasons, timely disposal of the waste couldn’t take place. The NGT has made it clear several times that breach of norms with regard to Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and non-compliance is most likely subject to penalty. While pertaining to the issue, Kamal Gupta, who holds the portfolio of Urban Local Body Minister said that the process for the disposal of the garbage has been initiated but it is likely to take time as the same requires a sizable chunk of resources.In this regard, according to a report submitted to the NGO by the state government , 40 lakh metric tonnes waste has been processed so far which is 52 percent of the pending waste. According to reports of last year, a total of 71.68 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste was lying at several dumping sites in municipalities in Haryana.