MPs pitch for effective waste management, more funds for it

A private member's bill today brought focus on the issue of disposal and management of waste, with MPs expressing concern over the situation and emphasising the need for an efficient system for the purpose.
As Congress member T Subbarami's 'Solid Waste Management Bill, 2016' was taken up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha, members expressed their concerns over the ineffective system prevailing in the country, particularly in urban areas.
"There should be a system for segregation of solid waste. There should be a system of safe disposal of waste and its efficient management," Reddy said, initiating a debate on the bill.

He pointed towards outdated management system for the solid waste and asked the government to provide funds to local bodies for its effective disposal.
Reddy also talked about lack of coordination among the central and state pollution control boards and stressed the need for creating public awareness about cleanliness and encouraging proper solid waste disposal by citizens.
V P Nishad (SP) and A K Sahani (JDU) also expressed concern over poor solid waste management and stressed the need for taking more steps and increasing spending, particularly on generating energy and producing other products from this.

Echoing similar views, A B Rapolu (Congress) said government has been talking about 'Clean India' drive but the fact of the matter was that not a single drop of Ganga water has been treated so far.

Attacking the government, he said, "nothing substantial has been done so far except group pictures and spending on nice dresses."
BJP member Basawaraj Patil, however, said Reddy should withdraw the bill as it is not comprehensive for dealing with the subject of waste management in the country.
He said Reddy has not touched the measure like prohibiting production of certain items like plastic, which causes irreversible pollution.