Delhi HC concerned over rise of e-waste

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed its concern over rise of e-waste in the city and asked the civic bodies whether there is any plan on its disposal.

The court's query came while discussing status of waste management in the city but the civic bodies failed to give it a satisfactory response on management of e-waste.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to make some effective policy to control rise of e-waste in city.

The court also sought response from Centre for Science and Environment head Sunita Narain on the issue, while asking the municipal bodies and the Delhi government whether there was any policy to deal with the disposal of electronic waste, saying that it is a critical area which has so far escaped attention.

Electronic waste is a term for electronic products that have become unwanted, non-working or obsolete, and have essentially reached the end of their useful life.

The court was hearing PILs claiming the government and civic agencies have not taken preventive steps against vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue.

The court has listed the matter for April 11 for further hearing directing the Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) to apprise it whether the waste management by-laws were being implemented in the areas under its jurisdiction.

--IANS

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