India: Implementation of bio-medical waste management rules

Press Information Bureau, Government of India - The Government of India have delegated necessary powers to all the SPCBs and PCCs in UTs, to issue directions to any industry or any other authority for violation of standards and Rules, inter-alia, relating to Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. The powers are vested in it under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in the Union Territories are the designated Prescribed Authorities for implementation of the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998.

This has been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The SPCBs/PCCs are required to closely monitor the implementation of the Rules by the Health Care Establishments (HCEs) and take necessary legal actions against the establishments which violate these Rules.

The SPCBs/PCCs issue show cause notices to health care establishments which violate the Rules. The Union Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have also addressed all the SPCBs and the PCCs in UTs from time to time for strict implementation of the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling Rules), 1998. As a result, the compliance to the implementation of the Rules has improved over the years.

Under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, as amended, there is no provision to constitute a Central level committee to monitor the implementation of the said Rules. Under the said Rules, the SPCBs/PCCs of Union Territories are responsible for strict implementation and monitor the compliance of the Rules.

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