The Gauhati High Court recently issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed raising concern as regards the dismal handling of the solid waste disposal by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and its instrumentality, more particularly in the Itanagar and Naharlagun area of the State.
The PIL has been filed by one Takam Diring contending that notwithstanding the directives of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India and the provisions contained in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, no steps have been taken by the respondent authorities for proper collection and disposal of the solid waste as a result of which, the citizens residing in this area are being exposed to serious inconvenience and health hazard.
In support of the above contention, the petitioner has annexed copies of photographs which demonstrate that there is practically no management of solid waste in various parts of the State.
The Itanagar Bench of Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Nani Tagia while considering the PIL observed that,
“The issue raised in this PIL undoubtedly raises a matter of public concern. Therefore, we are inclined to examine the matter.”
Therefore the High Court issued notice on the PIL.
Meanwhile , the Bench directed the respondents to file a preliminary affidavit on or before January 7,2022 indicating the steps that have already been taken for management and disposal of solid waste in Itanagar and Nahrlagun area and the result thereof, if any.
“If for any reason, the affidavit, as directed by this Court, is not filed on or before the next date, this Court will consider directing personal appearance of the concerned officials, ”
-the order reads.
The bench has fixed the matter on January 17,2022 for further hearing.