National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "India Sees 72 % Rise In ... vs Ankita Sinha &Ors." Reported In 202 on 3 January, 2025
Item No. 03 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 1390/2024
News Item titled "India sees 72% rise in electrical electronic waste in 5
years Govt" appearing in Businessstandard.com dated 16.12.2024
Date of hearing: 03.01.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
Applicant : None
ORDER
1. This original application is registered suo motu based on the news item titled "India sees 72 % rise in electrical electronic waste in 5 years Govt" " appearing in Businessstandard.com dated 16.12.2024.
2. The news item relates to a substantial 72% increase in the generation of electronic waste (e-waste) over the past five years, with the volume rising from 10.14 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 17.51 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 in India. As per the news item, data underscores the rising challenge of managing discarded electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), such as smartphones, computers, television sets, and refrigerators.
3. The news item states that the country has implemented the E- Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, which categorize 21 types of EEE items and provide estimated lifespans for these products--ranging from 5 years for smartphones to 10 years for refrigerators. In response to the growing e-waste challenge, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has also introduced the updated E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which took effect on April 1, 2023.
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4. The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of provisions of E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
5. The power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of "Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha &Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
6. Hence, we implead the following as respondents in the matter:
(i) Respondent no.1-Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), through its Member Secretary, Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032,
(ii) Respondent no.2-Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) through its Secretary, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi - 110003.
7. Let notice be issued to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing. If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal.
8. On the similar issue, E.A No. 04/2024-Shailesh Singh Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. is pending. List along with E.A No. 04/2024 on 10.02.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP 2 Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM January 03, 2025 Original Application No.1390/2024 JG..
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