Question : TREATY WITH USA ON HAZARDOUS TOXIC WASTES

(a) whether a ship from United States of America (USA) namely Platinum-II laden with hazardous and toxic wastes has arrived at Alang, Gujarat for dismantling;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the quantity of hazardous toxic substance laden on the ship and legal ownership of the ship as well as its status;

(c) whether India has signed a pact with USA for accepting hazardous toxic wastes;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the presence of US Ship, Platinum-II in Bhavnagar has violated the Basel Convention/Stockholm Convention;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (b): The passenger ship “Platinum-II” was anchored at Bhavnagar anchoring point on 06-10-2009 with the permission of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). This Ministry had constituted an inter-ministerial technical team to inspect and examine the ship. The team inspected the ship and submitted its report on 26-10-2009. As per this report, there are no hazardous and radio-active wastes on board the ship in loose form or as cargo. However, hazardous materials like asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and radio-active materials are present in the ship as part of its structure. The team reported that there are 653 smoke detectors and exit points in the ship containing radio-active materials as in-built structure of the ship. The team also estimated that approx. 238 MT of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is present in the structure of the ship. A team of officers of Gujarat State Pollution Control Board inspected the ship on 10.10.2009 and estimated that about 20 MT of PCBs are present as in-built structure of the ship.

(c): No, Sir.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): No, Sir.

(f): Does not arise.

(g): In exercising the ‘Precautionary Principle’, the MoEF has communicated to GMB that granting permission for beaching and breaking purposes of the ship will not be advisable.