NGT Fines Rs. 12000 Cr to GoM: An Opportunity to Dawn Era of Waste Management in Maharashtra
The NGT is particularly concerned about the unabated pollution being caused in Maharashtra due to disposal of untreated or partially treated solid and liquid wastes in to the environment.
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-Dr. Dilip Boralkar
The NGT is particularly concerned about the unabated pollution being caused in the State due to disposal of untreated or partially treated solid and liquid wastes in to the environment. This is mainly due to botched regulation in last few years and inadequate infrastructure for control of pollution in the public and private sectors as well. This is also evident from numerous references to court cases mentioned in the said order by NGT. However, a silver lining can be seen in the said judgment where NGT has referred to the Supreme Court’s appreciation of the Maharashtra State for creating a focussed solid waste management cell in the year 2004 by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and their efforts in an increase in the grant of Municipal Solid Waste Authorisation from 32% to 98%.
Several Member Secretaries /Chairmen of MPCB have come and gone since then but none of them were found serious about their principal responsibility to ensure and secure regulatory compliance of Municipal solid wastes and other wastes. MPCB has also failed to cause any positive impact on sectoral departments of the State Government in this regard. Consequentially, widespread environmental pollution (of water, soil and air) and its adverse impacts on public health and ecology are visible across the State. Management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) and Sewage from the large and medium sized cities has become a formidable challenge. This requires focused priority in investments for creation of infrastructure in public domain, systematically over a period of time.
Considering the quantum of the waste generation and pollution levels, Maharashtra State alone will need an investment of about Rs. 1,00,000 Crores for infrastructure development. Therefore, a dedicated and independent institutional mechanism is essential for this purpose in public domain. The requirement can be fulfilled by immediately creating the Maharashtra Environment Infrastructure Development Corporation (MEIDC). This project can be steered by the MPCB, out of their own funds and public borrowings as well, within the canyons of the Water (P&CP), Act, 1974 and with support and political will of the State Government.
Therefore, among other things, now Rs. 12,000/- Cr. fine levied by NGT can be used as seed money for the creation of the MEIDC which will be responsible and focused on the cause of creation, operation, and maintenance of common infrastructure for waste management and environmental protection thereby even adding to the Sustainable Development in the State of Maharashtra as enshrined in the goals of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the related judicial pronouncements. We need to act fast. Time is the essence. Leadership needs to come from experts who are not only technically qualified but essentially possessing domain experience. Will the necessary strong political will and action will come by? I hope so.
The Principal Bench National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, vide its order dated 08.09.2022, has levied heavy fine of Rs. 12,000/- Crores to the Government of Maharashtra for its failure in the proper management of municipal sewage and domestic solid wastes. The NGT order is based on the facts and figures concerning the non-compliance of environmental regulations in this regard and people’s scream demanding protection of the environment and public health. The Tribunal has directed the State Chief Secretary to ensure the implementation of the said orders and report on regular basis.
The NGT is particularly concerned about the unabated pollution being caused in the State due to disposal of untreated or partially treated solid and liquid wastes in to the environment. This is mainly due to botched regulation in last few years and inadequate infrastructure for control of pollution in the public and private sectors as well. This is also evident from numerous references to court cases mentioned in the said order by NGT. However, a silver lining can be seen in the said judgment where NGT has referred to the Supreme Court’s appreciation of the Maharashtra State for creating a focussed solid waste management cell in the year 2004 by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and their efforts in an increase in the grant of Municipal Solid Waste Authorisation from 32% to 98%.
Several Member Secretaries /Chairmen of MPCB have come and gone since then but none of them were found serious about their principal responsibility to ensure and secure regulatory compliance of Municipal solid wastes and other wastes. MPCB has also failed to cause any positive impact on sectoral departments of the State Government in this regard. Consequentially, widespread environmental pollution (of water, soil and air) and its adverse impacts on public health and ecology are visible across the State. Management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) and Sewage from the large and medium sized cities has become a formidable challenge. This requires focused priority in investments for creation of infrastructure in public domain, systematically over a period of time.
Considering the quantum of the waste generation and pollution levels, Maharashtra State alone will need an investment of about Rs. 1,00,000 Crores for infrastructure development. Therefore, a dedicated and independent institutional mechanism is essential for this purpose in public domain. The requirement can be fulfilled by immediately creating the Maharashtra Environment Infrastructure Development Corporation (MEIDC). This project can be steered by the MPCB, out of their own funds and public borrowings as well, within the canyons of the Water (P&CP), Act, 1974 and with support and political will of the State Government.
Therefore, among other things, now Rs. 12,000/- Cr. fine levied by NGT can be used as seed money for the creation of the MEIDC which will be responsible and focused on the cause of creation, operation, and maintenance of common infrastructure for waste management and environmental protection thereby even adding to the Sustainable Development in the State of Maharashtra as enshrined in the goals of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the related judicial pronouncements. We need to act fast. Time is the essence. Leadership needs to come from experts who are not only technically qualified but essentially possessing domain experience. Will the necessary strong political will and action will come by? I hope so.
(Dr. Dilip Boralkar, Formerly Member Secretary of MPCB)
Read the order here-
NGT 606_2018 Maharashtra MSW Rs.12000 Crore Pg35 Pt46 by Anjali Ankad on Scribd