District committee directs intensified inspections, monthly compliance reporting
Collector, South Goa and Kushavati districts Egna Cleetus, chairing of meeting of District Level Committee on Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.
Implementation of Solid Waste management Rules 2016 took the centre stage on Tuesday as the District Magistrate was tasked with monitoring waste management facilities and conducting regular inspections.
Directions have been issued to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to coordinate with departments and prepare monthly compliance reports.
This was decided at a meeting of the District Level Committee for implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 6174/2023. The meeting was chaired by Egna Cleetus, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate of South Goa, H/c Kushavati Districts, in the presence of Ramesh Gaonkar, Additional Collector-II, Prajeet R. Chodankar, Deputy Collector, South II.
Officials including SDMs, Mamlatdars, BDOs, Municipal Councils, representatives from Health, Urban Development and Tourism, along with GWMC, GSPCB and PI attended the meeting.
The meeting highlighted the Supreme Court directions and the powers entrusted to the District Collector under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for monitoring and implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules. Action against bulk waste generators violating the Rules, including disconnection of water and electricity supply, was also discussed.
Responsibilities of the District Level Committee, District Magistrate and Member Secretary of GSPCB were reviewed to ensure effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The roles of Taluka Level Teams headed by SDMs were also explained. The teams will inspect dumping sites, monitor illegal dumping, identify blackspots and bulk waste generators, and submit fortnightly reports to GSPCB.
All Deputy Collectors and SDMs were instructed to constitute the teams within three days and ensure timely inspections and action plans.
