Question : Import of Hazardous Waste

(a) whether instances of import of hazardous waste in contravention of the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 have come to the notice of the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the action taken in such cases during each of the last three years and the current year, Importer and State/UT-wise;
(c) the details of permission granted to importers by the Government to import hazardous waste in the country along with total hazardous waste imported by them during the said period, Importer and State/ UT-wise;
(d) the mechanism put in place by the Government to monitor compliance of the said rules during import of hazardous waste into the country; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure compliance of the said rules by each importer of hazardous waste in the country?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b) The instance of import of hazardous waste in contravention of the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 and Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 have not come to notice of the Ministry in the past three years. However, three instances of irregularities in transit of hazardous waste were brought to the notice of the Ministry in 2015 following which the waste was withheld during the transit.

(c) State-wise details of permissions granted by the Ministry for import of hazardous waste under the provisions of Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 and Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 during last three years is placed at Annexure I.

(d) & (e) Import of hazardous waste in the country is allowed only with prior approval of the competent authority. Further, designated custom and port authorities regulate and monitor entry of such goods. The Government has comprehensively revised the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 in April, 2016 and Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 have been notified. As per the provisions of these rules this Ministry grants permission for import subject to fulfillment of conditions to ensure proper recovery and recycling of hazardous waste.
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