There is a need to clear the "pollution of corruption" in addition to addressing air and water pollution, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today as he stressed the need for using information technology (IT) to bring transparency in efforts to contain pollution.
Expressing concern over the poor air quality in Delhi, the minister stressed the need for making a holistic action plan for air quality management at the local level, while directing pollution control boards to ensure strict adherence to timeline to achieve reduction in waste generation.
The use of information technology will enhance transparency and efficiency in efforts to contain and mitigate pollution, he said.
"IT will also help in resolving issues with State Pollution Control Boards," the minister said, while pointing to the urgent need for innovative thinking and an out-of- the-box approach to resolve various issues.
He called for substantive action at the local level, along with a holistic action plan for air quality management.
Referring to the flagship schemes such as Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan, Make in India campaign, Smart Cities Project and Digital India Campaign, the minister said that ‘Make in India’ will adopt a ‘zero effect, zero defect’ policy, which will leave ‘zero effect’ on the environment.
While 2,59,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, only 14 states or Union Territories have banned plastic carry-bags, he said.
He also expressed dissatisfaction that e-waste inventorisation had been completed by only Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
The minister urged the remaining states to complete the process of inventorisation of e-waste at the earliest.
"He directed the Boards to ensure strict adherence to timelines to achieve a reduction in waste generation, as incorporated in the amended Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016," an official statement said.