Government auditor CAG today came down heavily on Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) saying that it had failed to take any action to implement e-waste management rules in the country.
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, which was tabled in Parliament today, said even after three years since the notification of the e-waste management rules was issued, CPCB has not put any mechanism in place for the enforcement of various provisions in the rules.
"CPCB did not conduct assessment of quantity of e-waste being generated/processed in the country and effectively coordinate with state agencies for collection and compliance of such data. The Board also failed to implement framework for reduction of use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment manufactured and imported in the country," it said.
The auditor said CPCB, being the nodal agency responsible for overseeing the implementation of the E-Waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 2011, did not assess the quantity of e-waste generated in the country.
"CPCB was unable to unable to effectively coordinate with State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees for collection and compliance of data regarding number of producers, collection centres, dismantlers and recyclers authorised in each state," it said.
"Even with available data, CPCB failed to take further action or to provide recommendations as required under the Rules," the auditor said.
The auditor also blamed CPCB for inordinate delay in
completion of pilot projects for sewage treatment.
"CPCB took up a scheme for setting up demonstration projects for treatment of sewage at four locations. After more than four years of sanction and in spite of incurring expenditure of Rs 8.22 crore, sewage treatment could not commence at any of the four locations due to lack of planning, coordination and monitoring," the report said.
The auditor said CPCB did not ensure commitment from of the state governments concerned before awarding work to the implementing agencies.
"As a result, projects could not be initiated at three locations and was badly delayed at the fourth. CPCB also failed to coordinate release of funds with progress of work which resulted in blocking of funds of Rs 56 lakh with a private firm. Monitoring of the projects by both CPCB and Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) was deficient. The monitoring committee constituted by MoEF did not even meet once," the report said.
