New Delhi, Oct 1 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has sought response from the Centre on a plea alleging rampant violation of E-waste management rules notified in 2011.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and others while posting the matter for next hearing on October 13.
“Issue Notice to the Respondents by registered post/acknowledgement due and ‘dasti’ (serving court order by hand) as well. Requisites to be filed within three days from today. Notice made returnable on October 13,” the bench said.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea by NGO Toxics Link which claimed that tonnes of second-hand or used goods are being dumped in India, leading to a pile-up of e-waste.
The NGO has sought direction to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to submit a report on the exact quantities of goods being dumped in the country under the Export Import Policy of India (2013-2014).
Quoting a 2011 Rajya Sabha report, which said that “India had been a destination for industrial wastes”, the plea has also sought information on how these used goods were being recycled and whether this was being done in an ecofriendly manner.
Electronic waste is discarded electrical or electronic devices which includes discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets, refrigerators etc.
E-waste Rules, 2011 apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment or components.