BIS to set standards on municipal solid wastes

Govt has also asked BIS for quality assurance standards for potable water supplied through municipal pipelines

The government is considering to develop standards on municipal solid wastes, including garbage segregation, to complement the cleanliness drive, Parliament was informed today.

"Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is considering developing standards on municipal solid wastes including garbage segregation. A technical committee has been constituted to develop such standards," Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Patil Danve said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The minister also informed that the government has asked the BIS to formulate process standard for quality assurance of potable water supplied through pipelines by municipal and government agencies and for garbage disposal.

"An inter-ministerial group has been set up on Consumer Advocacy which will also oversee implementation of standards," Danve said.

The standards proposed would be formulated and implemented as per the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.

Danve also informed that BIS has established Indian Standard --IS 16066:2012 on street food vendors- food safety requirements.

Meanwhile, the Centre is planning to make amendments in the BIS Act that includes allowing BIS to make standards for more products from the current 90 items, enhancement of penalties for offences and permitting BIS to make standards for services as well.

Yesterday, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had said that the ministry is trying to bring the amendments bill before the Cabinet and Parliament at the earliest.