The State-wise details of generation and treatment of bio-medical waste and the number of hospitals found violating the Bio-Medical Waste Rules in the country during the last three years are given in the Annexure.

                        As per the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, it is the duty of the Health Care Facilities generating bio-medical waste (BMW) to take all necessary steps to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and environment.  It can do so either in its own treatment facilities or ensure requisite treatment through a common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility.  However, in order to facilitate setting up of such common treatment facilities on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis, the Government is implementing a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for providing financial assistance.  Under the Scheme, 25% of the total cost of the project is provided as Central Government assistance subject to the availability of matching grant from the State government.

           The State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) of Union Territories are the Prescribed Authorities for implementation of the BMW Rules.  They are required to ensure effective implementation of the Rules and take action against the health care facilities for violation of the provisions, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EP Act).

            As per the information provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), defaulting health care facilities are issued show cause notices or directions under the E(P) Act, 1986 by the SPCBs and PCCs, for violation of the provisions of BMW Rules.

            Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also inspects health care facilities/common treatment and disposal facilities from time to time and issues notices/directions under Section 5 of the E(P) Act, 1986, against the defaulting units.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by  Smt. Jayshreeben Patel, Smt. Priya Dutt, ,Shri K. C. Singh ‘Baba’, Shri Gajanan D. Babar and Shri Anandrao Adsul in    Lok  Sabha today.

   Annexure

Status of Bio-Medical Waste Management in the country for the last three years

        KP