HC to PMC: File ATR on waste mgmt

The Patna High Court asked the Patna Municipal Corporation to file an action taken report on the enforcement of the law regulating garbage treatment in the state capital.

The Patna High Court on Wednesday asked the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) to file an action taken report (ATR) on the enforcement of the law regulating garbage treatment (The Municipal Solid Wastes Management and Handling Rules, 2000) in the state capital.

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While hearing a PIL filed by Jan Chowkidar, a division bench comprising Justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice JN Singh posted the matter for further monitoring after two weeks.

In its earlier order on August 18 last year, the court had directed the Municipal Commissioner of Patna to take all necessary steps to enforce the law regulating garbage treatment and solid waste segregation, collection and transportation by the end of 2008.

Following the order, the district administration initiated the process for acquiring 82 acres of land in Beria and Ramchak villages on Patna-Gaya Road for segregating solid wastes from degradable, biodegradable, bio-fuel and compost wastes.

Till date, however, it has acquired just 36 acres of land. The remaining land has to be acquired shortly. The Urban Development and Housing department (UDHD) gave Rs 42 crore to the PMC, which transferred the amount to the district administration, said the Municipal Commissioner, Vishwanath Singh, while talking to HT on Wednesday. “Altogether, Rs 64 crore, including Rs 42 crore which has been transferred, is required for the acquisition of land,” Singh added.

The state government received a fund of Rs 38 crore from the Centre for solid waste management and has to contribute a matching grant under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM).