Question : BIO MEDICAL WASTES

(a) whether the bio-medical wastes generated from hospitals pose a serious threat to the health of the citizens and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has notified rules for the proper disposal of bio-medical wastes generated in various hospitals in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government provides financial assistance to the States for treatment of bio-medical wastes and disposal facilities thereof;

(d) if so, the details thereof including the assistance provided to various States during 2013-14 and 2014-15; and

(e) the mechanism put in place for effective implementation of the aforesaid rules and the extent to which success has been achieved as a result thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 230 FOR 09.12.2014 BY SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO AND SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV REGARDING BIO-MEDICAL WASTEs:

(a): The bio-medical waste if not collected, treated and disposed off in environmentally sound manner may pose serious threat to health.

(b): For management of bio-medical waste in the country, this Ministry has notified the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. The rules are applicable to all persons and institutions involved in generation and handling of biomedical waste in any form.

(c): This Ministry has a scheme to provide financial assistance to the States for setting up of Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis on cost sharing basis. In addition, financial assistance is provided for creating awareness and capacity building programmes on bio-medical waste management.

(d): The Ministry has not released any financial assistance to States under this Scheme during the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 as there were no suitable proposal from any State Government.

(e): As per these Rules, every occupier of an institution generating bio-medical waste is required to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and environment. They are required to set up requisite biomedical waste treatment facilities like incinerators, autoclave, microwave system for the treatment of the waste, or ensure requisite treatment of the waste through a common waste treatment facility. The bio-medical waste is required to be segregated according to the categories and colour codes for containers /bags prescribed under these rules. The occupier of health care establishments providing treatment or service to 1000 or more patient per month are required to obtain authorization from the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in the Union Territories, which are the designated Prescribed Authorities for ensuring implementation of these rules. Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services is the prescribed authority for enforcement of the provisions of these rules in all health care establishments of Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defense. In case of violation of the rules, the designated prescribed authority is required to take legal action under the law.