Shillong, April 22: The Meghalaya High Court on Friday asked the state government to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 for the entire state.
“The state government should look into such aspect of the matter, not only limited to Jowai but for the entirety of the state,” the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said while hearing a PIL filed by Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong Jowai for regular garbage collection from Jowai town.
This came after it was submitted on behalf of the headmen of the six villages who have been added as parties that the state government should ensure that the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 notified by the Central Government in exercise of its authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is implemented as expeditiously as possible by creating bodies and infrastructure in terms therewith.
Meanwhile, the State and the local bodies had informed the court that a temporary site for dumping has been identified and the lifting of the garbage in Jowai town has commenced.
According to the local municipal board, the main streets have been cleared and it is expected that the garbage from the market places will be cleared in the course of the weekend.
The court said that no immediate order is required since all concerned, including the state, appear to have looked into the matter and meetings have been held to identify an alternative dumping site.
“Let the matter appear a fortnight hence. It is hoped that some immediate and long-term solutions would be arrived at by then,” it said. The next hearing will be held on May 13.
