SC cracks down on NCR waste crisis, orders officials to ensure 100% segregation
The Supreme Court on Thursday tightened oversight on solid waste management in the National Capital Region (NCR), directing Delhi and the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to appoint senior officials as nodal officers to ensure 100% segregation and timely collection of solid waste.
The directive came in response to a petition by lawyer-activist MC Mehta, seeking action against pollution. A bench led by justice Abhay S Oka also recommended that the Centre consider reducing the 18% goods and services tax (GST) on products made from recycled construction and dust waste, noting that the sector needs incentives.
The court ordered states to submit realistic projections of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation over the next 25 years and to present corresponding action plans to handle the growing volume. It also mandated that nodal officers submit quarterly compliance reports starting September 1, 2025.
Urban local bodies across NCR were tasked with clearing legacy waste from landfills and furnishing data to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on actions taken in response to complaints about pollution at construction and development sites.
Additionally, the court directed a widespread awareness campaign on the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, which penalise failure to segregate waste at source. Bulk waste generators—those producing over 100kg of waste daily—must ensure no dumping, burning, or burying of waste in public spaces or water bodies.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) informed the court that it aims to achieve full segregation at source—including dry and wet, biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste—by January 2027. The Greater Noida authority said it plans to clear landfill legacy waste by August 2025. Haryana reported current segregation at 45%, with a target of 100% by year-end.
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court along with senior advocate Udita Babbar, submitted recommendations to enforce strict timelines and proposed designating a high-ranking official responsible for implementation.
The bench, also comprising justice Ujjal Bhuyan, said, 'We direct the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, UP and National Capital Territory of Delhi, as well as MCD, to designate a high-ranking nodal officer to supervise compliance to achieve 100% segregation of waste. The same officer shall supervise 100% collection of solid waste... The nodal officer, in both cases, shall file regular compliance reports, starting from 1 September 2025 and every quarter thereafter.'
On the high GST charged on recycled products, the bench said, 'We direct Union government to consider this issue by placing it before the concerned authority. We recommend that the activity needs to be incentivised for the cause of environment.'
The court also questioned the absence of a standing committee in the MCD and said it would revisit the issue at the next hearing.
'Considering large-scale construction and development activities, generation of MSW is bound to increase. All NCR states must make a realistic estimate of MSW generation in the next 25 years, so authorities are prepared to deal with the rising quantum.'
The court directed states to outline measures being taken by September 1. It also asked the CAQM to file an affidavit detailing complaints received by state pollution boards and urban local bodies regarding dust and construction waste violations, and actions taken.
'The affidavit shall give categorical data, indicating number of complaints filed against individuals and government entities,' the court said, pointing out that states are empowered under the CAQM Act to act against violators.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India well prepared to deal with closure of Strait of Hormuz by Iran: Union Minister Hardeep Puri
Amid Iran's plan to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically vital chokepoints in the world connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday asserted that the Centre will take "all necessary measures" to ensure affordability and the "stability of fuel supplies." "The Modi government has, over the past several years, not only ensured the stability of supplies, but also affordability. We will take all necessary measures to ensure that," Puri told ANI. The Union Minister said that the consequences of the Strait of Hormuz's closure would be factored in after markets open on Monday. However, he added that there was enough oil available in the global markets. "It's very difficult to speculate on the price factor. The oil price for a long time was between 65 and 70 (USD per barrel). Then it was between 70 and 75. Today is a Sunday. When the markets open tomorrow, the consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will be factored in. But as I've been saying for a long time, enough oil is available in the global markets," Puri said. "More and more oil is coming on the global markets, particularly from the Western Hemisphere. Even traditional suppliers would be interested in keeping the supplies because they also need revenue. So hopefully the market will factor that in," he added. Puri also posted on 'X' that the Centre will take "all necessary steps to ensure stability of fuel supplies" to the citizens. "We have been closely monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East since the past two weeks. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji, we have diversified our supplies in the past few years and a large volume of our supplies do not come through the Strait of Hormuz now. Our Oil Marketing Companies have supplies of several weeks and continue to receive energy supplies from several routes. We will take all necessary steps to ensure stability of supplies of fuel to our citizens," Puri said in a post. After the US airstrikes on its nuclear installations, Iran is considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically vital chokepoints in the world, and any blockade by Tehran would pose serious risks for Europe, EuroNews reported on Sunday. Revolutionary Guard commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari told local media in an interview that closing the Strait of Hormuz "is under consideration, and Iran will make the best decision with determination," as per EuroNews. "Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response," added Kowsari, who is a member of the Iranian parliament in addition to his military position. Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said the "very successful" strikes had hit the Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan underground nuclear sites in Iran.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
US abortion rates rise three years after Dobbs' new ruling on Roe vs Wade, here's why
Three years after the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade , the U.S. finds itself at the epicenter of a new abortion battle, one that's defying expectations and reshaping the strategies of both pro-life and pro-choice movements. Despite the pro-life victory in the courts, abortion rates have not dropped; instead, they've remained steady or even increased, raising provocative questions about the true impact of legal bans and the future of reproductive rights in America. The next big fight for abortion opponents is the organisation Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading provider and advocate of affordable sexual and reproductive health care, operates nearly 600 health centers across the country. The unexpected rise: Abortion rates defy pro-life predictions Contrary to pro-life hopes, the number of abortions in the U.S. has not declined post-Dobbs. Recent data from the Charlotte Lozier Institute shows over 1.1 million abortions occurred from July 2023 to June 2024, matching or exceeding pre-Dobbs levels. This estimate, based on the most comprehensive aggregation of clinic, hospital, and virtual provider data, highlights a resilient demand for abortion services even as legal landscapes shift. Researchers caution, however, that the true number may be even higher, as the U.S. lacks a federal abortion reporting mandate and medication abortions, especially those facilitated by international mail-order, are difficult to track with precision. The new battlefield: Pills, politics and laws The unexpected resilience of abortion rates is largely driven by the rise of medication abortion . With the FDA's approval for mail-order mifepristone, telehealth and shield laws have enabled access even in states with bans, and up to 20% of abortions in 2024 were provided via telehealth under such protections. This has allowed patients to bypass state restrictions, fueling what pro-life leaders call a "direct assault on the sovereignty of states." Live Events Pro-life advocates are now focusing on new priorities in response to these trends. Their big challenges, they say, include weakening Planned Parenthood, by targeting its funding streams. Restricting access to abortion pills remains a top objective, as does investing in supportive political candidates and ballot initiatives. Some pro-life lawmakers believe there is a strong chance of defunding Planned Parenthood through a broader reconciliation bill in Congress, which would block Medicaid funds for organizations performing abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother's life. Planned Parenthood, responding to these legislative moves, warned in a statement after the bill passed the Republican-led House in May that such provisions would cut off funding for a range of services beyond abortion, potentially forcing about 200 of its 600 locations to close. "If this bill passes, people will lose access to essential, often lifesaving care — cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and yes, abortion," the organization said. Meanwhile, other pro-choice groups are leveraging "shield laws" and ballot initiatives to protect and expand access, turning some states into abortion havens while others enforce near-total bans.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
National Conference (NC) cites Himachal example to renew J&K statehood revival call
SRINAGAR: J&K's governing National Conference (NC) added a new dimension Sunday to its demand for restoration of statehood for the Union Territory, citing the example of Himachal Pradesh's creation over 50 years ago to assert that such a revival could be ensured with the existing assembly and without fresh elections. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The statement was a response to reports which indicated that the Centre might agree to restore J&K's statehood, but only on the condition that fresh elections are held to elect a new govt under the revamped framework. 'There is a clear precedent. Himachal Pradesh was granted statehood while its assembly was functioning. The UT had a functional legislature. Statehood was conferred on 25 Jan 1971 without dissolving the assembly following the passage of the State of Himachal Pradesh Act by Parliament on 18 Dec, 1970,' NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said. NC had won a majority in Oct 2024 after elections to the 90-member assembly conducted under J&K as a Union Territory, a status it attained after abrogation of Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019. 'When thousands turn out to vote, it reflects hope. But if their mandate is casually dismissed, it isn't just the vote that's defeated, it's faith in democracy itself,' another NC spokesperson, Ifra Jan, said. She described the reports of fresh polls as 'a tragic betrayal'. However, opposition (PDP) dismissed the debate over polls and statehood as 'nitpicking' devoid of logic. 'BJP has been solely deciding how J&K is governed, leaving no space for genuine democratic functioning. The region remains firmly under the control of the (Union) home ministry,' PDP former minister Naeem Akhtar said. Akhtar pointed out that constitutional norms were tossed out the day the Centre revoked J&K's special status 'It was the LG who assumed powers of the Constituent Assembly under Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019 and recommended abrogation of Article 370 to the President. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In such a situation, these debates are of no use,' Akhtar said. Unless BJP undertakes a complete political reappraisal of J&K, these reports and reactions to them are not just misplaced but also juvenile, Akhtar added. On Friday, NC president Farooq Abdullah had for the first time threatened to move Supreme Court if J&K's statehood was not restored, though he said he remained hopeful of such revival even after eight months the party's govt led by his son and CM Omar. 'We have been waiting patiently. But if the delay continues, we will have no option but to approach Supreme Court,' Farooq had said.
