Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting to review working and functioning of J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) here.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment, Department, Sheetal Nanda; Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Committee; Member J&K Pollution Control Committee and other concerned officers of the Department.
The meeting focused on identifying challenges and formulating actionable strategies to safeguard the region’s environment while ensuring sustainable development.
Implementation of the provisions of Water and Air Act by the operating industrial units, Chief Secretary directed that closure orders issued by the J&K PCC under Water Act 1974 and Air Act 1981 against the Stone Crushers units and brick kiln units are implemented in letter and spirit on the ground.
On this occasion Dulloo directed JKPCC to check and share the list of those units against which closure orders have been issued by the JKPCC but closure orders have not been implemented on ground to the Secretary FEE, who shall appropriately escalate the matter with the concerned DCs for implementation of the orders. He stressed that consents should be renewed strictly in accordance with the law.
Further he directed to ensure that operating stone crushers units and brick kiln units strictly adhere to the provisions of the law and environmental standards laid down under EPA 1986. He stressed for zero tolerance for violation of environmental laws by the industrial units.
Regarding air quality monitoring, he urged that the operationalization of the newly proposed AQM stations at Jammu and Srinagar must be expedited. He asked for regular water quality monitoring of polluted river stretches and wetlands by JKPCC to gauge its status for dovetailing of efforts to mitigate this menace. He also suggested for devising an action plan for improving the quality of water of these river stretches.
Chief Secretary stressed upon them to focus on tourist spots for implementation of the non-biodegradable Waste Management Rules and seizure of the Single Use Plastic and other polybags if not conforming to the prescribed standards/specifications. Teams to be constituted in each district under the supervision of the concerned DCs for implementation of these Rules.
Strict implementation of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules and Monitoring of the Health Care Facilities (HCFs) to check whether they are complying with the Bio-Medical Waste Management.
The Chief Secretary directed that meetings of DLMC under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules should be held by the DCs in regular intervals. He directed the Commissioner Secret, FEE to hold a meeting with concerned DCs of 7 districts where such meetings have not been held yet and ensure that meetings are held.
While reviewing the functioning of the existing STPs by JKPCC he asked for strict implementation of the J&K Non-Biodegradable Waste Management Rules to safeguard the water bodies from getting polluted here.
The Commissioner Secretary, FEE, Sheetal Nanda apprised the meeting that instructions have been issued to all the DCs and the issue shall be reviewed regularly. He also made out that JKPCC would intensify the enforcement activities and must make earnest efforts to check and seize branded polythene shopping bags, if found to be not in conformity with the existing rules.
Finally JKPCC was suggested to coordinate with the concerned stakeholder departments and ensure that revised action plan under NCAP is firmed up and approved. He suggested the to hold a meeting with concerned departments for early finalization of revised action plan under NCAP for its early submission to the CPCB.
