"The draft of the e-waste (Management) Rules 2015 have been published by the Ministry. The Provisions of Draft Rules include expanding producers' responsibility in the form of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), setting up of Producers Responsibility Organizations (PRO)and e-waste exchange," Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told the Upper House during Question Hour.
Besides it also include assigning specific responsibility to bulk consumers of electronic products for safe disposal, providing for economic incentives for collection of electronic waste and other measures to include dedicated responsibility of electronic and electrical product manufacturers for collection and channelisation of e-waste, he said.
The Minister said the Environment Ministry, after reviewing the implementation of the earlier rules, has undertaken the task of revising the rules and revamp them including that of responsibilities of producers.
He said that after the new rules come into force, the "absolute responsibility" will be on producers not only on generation or use but all its aspects including safe disposal.
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Taking note of members raising concern over report of a Delhi-based organization, Toxic Link, titled "Time to Reboot", the minister said that as per the report 18 producers fall under the red category indicating unsatisfactory performance with respect to their responsibility under EPR under e-waste rules 2011.
He also said that there was a difference between the concepts of the western world and India relating to toxic waste release here.
Dola Sen (TMC) also raised the issue Swachh Bharat cess, saying the Central government must support the state government's efforts instead of cutting funds to it.
She cited the example of West Bengal where the state government had initiated a campaign to stop open defecation and said the "Centre must support the successful efforts of the state governments".