New central guidelines soon to control electronic wastes

Kolkata, Aug 03 (UNI) The Central Pollution Control Board, in association with respective state units, is preparing a new guideline to combat the new threat of electronic wastes pollution.

Announcing this West Bengal Pollution Control Board Chairman Sudip K Banerjee informed members of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce (MCC) here today that in the wake of rapid industrialisation in the country, the number of electronic wastes, in the form of rejected or damaged electronic gadgets, had gone up manifold creating a dangerous situation about the problem of their timely disposal everywhere.

Keeping this in mind and in absence of any proper methodology for their disposal,the Central Pollution Control Board had been asked by the union environment ministry to prepare a guideline for the electronic industry as well as for the users to combat the growing menace of e-wastes.

"We hope the new guidelines would be prepared by this year end covering the entuire gamut of the problem," Mr Banerjee said.

Later he told newsmen that the draft proposal had made it mandatory for every electronic industry to take back the entire quantity of their electronic equipment which were later converted into e-wastes, from their respective dealers and consumers.

Regarding other aspects of pollution,creating some sort of environmental hazards in the country,specially in urban India,the WBPCB Chairman said contrary to general perception the level of noise pollution in the city was much lower and within limit compared to other mega cities like Mumbai,Delhi,Chennai,Bangalore and even Hyderabad by all yardsticks.

"We need not be worry about the pollution level of Kolkata as long as it remains within the prescribed limit," he said but urged the people not to be complacent and remain vigilant to ensure a better tomorrow.

Regarding the progress of the Ganga Action Plan, Mr Banerjee regretted that only about 18 per cent work in the state was completed so far though more than 55 per cent money allotted for this purpose had already been spent.

The unabated dumping of huge quantity of industrial and domestic wastes in the Ganges for the past several years had added more problem like creation of living bacteria in the river water,Mr Banerjee said.But the Pollution Control Board was well aware of the problem and taking corrective measures in association with the local municipalities.

About the problems created by random use of pet bottles and plastic bags before dumping them on to the streets blocking the city's drainage systems,Mr Banerjee said besides imposing a blanket ban on the use of plastic bags of over 20 microns,they had forced the pet bottle manufacturers to collect all used bottles and re-cycle them for further use.

"As a result of a series of stern and preventive measures West Bengal is now virtually free from the dual menace," he claimed.

Earlier, MCC President and industrialist Santosh Saraf highlighted the major pollution related problems facing the state based polluting industries and sought their immediate redressal.

UNI ABA PL RN1827