New Delhi: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said that that the government will come out with revised rules by 15 July on waste management which will help achieve Swachch Bharat (Clean India) within the next five years. Javadekar emphasised on the need of segregation of waste at the source and to make waste management more effective and scientific. The minister also recognised ragpickers' contribution in managing waste on the Labour day.
The Minister however confessed that it is an “ambitious” target, but “much difficult to achieve”. “The draft rules on waste management have been prepared. After seeking public comments, the revised rules will be notified by July 15,” Javadekar said on the sidelines of a stakeholders' consultation meeting on the draft Waste Management Rules 2015 organised by industry body CII.
The rules on waste management are being revised as the norms (on solid waste, e-waste, bio-medical waste and plastic waste) have not been changed for last many years, he said, adding that rules are being changed taking public views. “For years, these rules were not revised. We are revising with public consultation. With new technologies, we will make waste management more effective to change the face of the country within five years. That's how we will achieve Swachh Bharat,” the Minister said.
Waste management should be incorporated as part of a school curriculum as it is easy to teach children during their growing age as compared to elders, he said and added that he would speak to the HRD Minister in this regard.