Delhi government faces Supreme Court ire over data on solid waste management

The Supreme Court on Monday took strong exception to Delhi government's failure in furnishing figures concerning daily generation of solid waste across the city [In Re: Solid Waste Disposal]..A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan said that it was a "shocking state of affairs" and pulled up the government for its failure to comply with the November 11 order of the court directing it to furnish the data."We want basic data of generation of solid waste. That data you have not given as well. This is absolutely shocking state of affairs by Delhi Government. They cannot provide simple data even after so many days of our last order," Justice Oka remarked.The bench was hearing a case dealing with the deteriorating air quality in and around the national capital.On November 11, the top court had directed the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government to convene a meeting of all relevant stakeholders, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), to discuss implementing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (2016 rules).It had also asked the Delhi Government to submit data on daily solid waste generation in the city.Today, when the Court questioned the Special Secretary SM Ali about the failure to furnish the data despite the order of the court, he sought more time to comply with the order."We will comply with the order. We will immediately asked the concerned bodies to give us data. Kindly allow us some more days," the Ali submitted.Unimpressed, the Court proceeded to issue a stern warning to the Delhi government and directed them to furnish the data by December 19. It also directed the Chief Secretary to remain physically present before the Court on the said date."Notwithstanding clear direction to chief secretary of Delhi Government, nothing has been done even with respect to data asked. This aspect will be heard on 19 December and we request the Chief Secretary to be physically present before this court. This is complete negligence on the part of Delhi Government," the Court ordered.The Bench clarified that contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against the officials of the Delhi government if an affidavit containing details sought by the November 11 order is not submitted by December 18. "By December 18, if the affidavit is not filed by Chief Secretary of Delhi Government recording compliance of our November 11 order, this court will take action under the Contempt of Courts Act against officials of Delhi government," the Court said..On November 11, the Court had warned for 'harsh orders' over the non-implementation with 2016 rules for solid waste management in the capital city.It had also highlighted that non-implementation of 2016 rules has resulted in garbage/solid waste being illegally stored in landfill sites which are prone to fires..Back in July this year, the Court had expressed concern over the untreated solid waste in Delhi and directed the Central government to convene a meeting for a solution to the issue.It had commented that no concrete solution seemed to be in sight until 2027 to treat 11,000 tonnes of solid waste generated in Delhi every day.The Court had remarked that the Court does not "see light at the end of the tunnel" when it comes to solid waste management in the national capital and expressed concern that the situation could lead to a public health emergency. .Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh is serving as Amicus Curiae in this matter..[Read Order].[Live Courtroom Exchange]