SC: Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 a complete failure in Delhi

The Supreme Court has flagged the "complete failure" of agencies in implementing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the national capital and directed the chief secretary of the Delhi government to call a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the issue.

The apex court observed it is a matter of immense importance that the 2016 Rules are implemented in their true letter and spirit in the capital city.

"If we find that all other authorities do not come together and tell us the time-bound schedule for implementation of the 2016 Rules, the court may have to consider passing harsh orders," a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said in its order passed on November 11.

The bench said, "We direct the chief secretary of the Delhi Government to call a meeting of all the stakeholders, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, to discuss the issue of implementation of the 2016 Rules."

It said all stakeholders must come together and file a common report before the court laying down the time-lines for reporting compliance with the provisions of the 2016 Rules.