SC deadline for waste import policy

 With the environment ministry coming under the scanner in the aftermath of the Taj Heritage Corridor issue, the court has given more responsibility to the CPCB in the management of waste imports.

 The board has been asked to prepare the guidelines for the proper functioning and upkeep of the disposal sites, the transportation of chemical wastes, the development of uniform testing procedures to be followed by the laboratories and the issuance of a checklist to ensure compliance with the environment rules. It has also been asked to keep the state boards aware of the latest technology to handle poisonous chemicals.

 The bench, comprising Justice YK Sabharwal and Justice B N Agrawal, passed these orders, while hearing the petition of the Research Foundation for Science that alleged the import of noxious wastes from the western countries, flouting the Basel Convention.

 The court had appointed noted scientist MGK Menon to inquire into the allegations. Menon had made several suggestions in this regard. CPCB counsel Vijay Panjwani supported the recommendations, and the court adopted them