Law for regulating e-waste in Karnataka: Minister

Bangalore, July 25 (UNI) The Karnataka Government proposed to introduce a legislation to regulate the generation of over 7,000 tonne of e-waste annually by the silicon city of Bangalore, State Minister for Forest and Environment C Channigappa informed the Legislative Council today.

Replying to Mr Aravinda Limbavali (BJP) during Question Hour, the Minister said hundreds of IT companies which had chosen Bangalore as their base were generating over 6,790 tonne of e-waste annually.

He said the Centre was planning to bring a legislation on the lines of international laws to regulate and dispose the e-waste.

The state government, however, without waiting for the Centre, proposed to bring legislation in the interest of public health.

Mr Channigappa said the State Pollution Control Board permitted three private companies, having expertise, to segregate, recycle and clear the e-waste.

''Many foreign companies have shown interest in this regard,'' he added.

Mr Limbavali also brought to the notice of the house that Barium, a chemical agent used in electronic goods including computers, was hazardous to children's health if it entered waterbodies.

UNI