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SC to govt: Ban hazardous marine substances, stick to Basel

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 24 2013 | 2:11 AM IST

A bench of justices Altamas Kabir and J Chelameshwar also asked the Central Government to bring the Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, in line with the Basel Convention and Articles 21 (personal liberty), 47 (improve nutrition) and 48A (environmental protection) of the Constitution.

"We expect and reiterate that the directions contained in the Basel Convention have to be strictly followed by all the concerned players, before a vessel is allowed to enter Indian territorial waters and beach at any of the beaching facilities in any part of the Indian coast-line.

"In case of breach of the conditions, the authorities shall impose the penalties contemplated under the municipal laws of India," Justice Kabir writing the judgement said.

The apex court passed the direction while dealing with the PIL filed by Research Foundation for Science Technology and Natural Resource Policy.

The 1992 Basel convention to which India is also a signatory had specified several environmentally sound management systems for treating, import and export of hazardous wastes substances across the globe.

The PIL alleged that despite being a signatory India was taking adequate steps in management of the hazardous substance like import of oil, ship breaking and other activities.

  

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First Published: Jul 06 2012 | 7:36 PM IST

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