Question : Use of Plastic and Rubber Waste

(a) whether the Government is aware that plastic and rubber waste from Kerala is discreetly being used as fuel by the jaggery making units for burning hearth, in Nagamangala and KR pet taluks in Mandya district in Karnataka;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for lack of strict measures by the two State Pollution Control Boards to control the said malpractice;
(c) whether the Government proposes to issue directions to the two States to take suitable steps in this regard in order to protect people in the said area from dangerous toxic emissions from the jaggery production units; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) to (d): The Karnataka State Pollution Control Boardhas received complaints regarding transportation and utilization of plastic and rubber waste from Kerala for burning in the hearth of Jaggery making units.Based on the complaints received, regarding transportation and storage of plastic and rubber waste,police have registered complaints bearing FIR No. 51/2017, 56/2017and FIR No. Nol, 468/2018. The notice of proposed Direction under section 5 of Environmental (Protection) Act 1986 has been issued to the M/s RJN Enterprises, Tubinakere Industrial Area, Mandya on 12.09.2019 by the State Pollution Control Boardfor storage of plastic and rubber waste from Kerala in theirpremises. As per the inspection of the regional officer, Mandya on 20.11.2019 the unit has vacated the premises. The Deputy Commissioner, Mandya District, Mandya has issued order to prohibit the use of plastic and rubber waste in jaggery unit’s hearth and given direction to the concerned Panchayath Development Officers of Gram Panchayaths. Criminal cases have also been filed against 12 vehicles transporting such waste. The details are enclosed in the Annexure.
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