Question : IMPORT OF POLLUTING WASTE PRODUCTS

(a) whether various types of waste products are being imported by the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the quantity of waste imported during the last three years and the current year, year-wise;

(d) the utility of the said waste in the country;

(e) whether such waste causes large scale pollution in the country;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(g) the remedial measures including devising any regulatory mechanism taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)to (g) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 464 FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, the 28th APRIL, 2010 REGARDING “IMPORT OF POLLUTING WASTE PRODUCTS” RAISED BY DR. MAHENDRASINH P. CHAUHAN and DR. SANJAY SINH.

(a) to (g) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, for proper management and handling of hazardous wastes. Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes is regulated as per these rules. Import of hazardous wastes for disposal is not permitted. Import is allowed only for reuse, recycle or reprocessing. All import consignments are required to be accompanied by a movement document and a test report from an accredited laboratory or pre-shipment inspection certificate from a recognized agency.

Hazardous wastes are a source of raw material for recycling and reprocessing industries. These industries are required to obtain Consent to Operate as per the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and an authorization under the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 from the respective State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or the Pollution Control Committee. In addition, certain recycling/ reprocessing industries are required to register with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The compliance status for conditions laid down in the authorization is monitored by the respective SPCB. Further, the Ministry has constituted a Coordination Committee to oversee the implementation of the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2008. It comprises of representatives from Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), Ministry of Commerce and Industries (DGFT), Ministry of Shipping, CPCB, selected State Pollution Control Boards and experts.