SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Before:- B. N. Kirpal and S. Rajendra Babu, JJ.

Writ Petn. (Civil) No. 888 of 1996. D/d. 13.8.1999.

Almitra H. Patel and another - Petitioners

Versus

Union of India and others - Respondents

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Section 3 - Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, Rule 8 - Environment protection - Municipalities - Municipal sold waste - Management of - Action plan for management to be prepared and file in court within six weeks - Suggestion by petitioner on the issue - State Government and Central Government and concerned SPCBs/PCCs should examine the aspect and respond within six weeks.

[Paras 3 and 4]

ORDER

Pursuant to the last order passed by this Court, most of the States have filed their response to the report of the Committee. None of the States appears to be opposed to the recommendations which have been made and in fact the response of the States is positive. On the basis of the report, Mr. Dave states that certain directions are required to be issued. We should circulate amongst the counsel for the States and the Union of India within one week from today the directions which are sought for in order to enable the Court to pass such orders which can be implemented. If the Union of India or the States have any suggestions on the directions proposed by Mr. Dave, they may communicate the same to Mr. Dave within two weeks thereafter.

2. Mr. Vijay Panjwani appearing for Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) states that Draft Management of Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1999 have been formulated by the CPCB keeping in view the report of the Committee. These Rules have been forwarded to the Central Government but they have not so far been notified. We expect the Central Government to notify the Rules for Solid Waste Management either in the manner proposed by the CPCB or such other Rules which the Central Government thinks appropriate. We hope that the Rules will be notified before the next date of hearing.

3. Those States which have not yet responded to the report should do so within three weeks.

4. To come up for further orders on 17th September, 1999 in the category of Final Disposal Matters.

Order accordingly.