Himachal Pradesh including Other Himalaya States Yet to Register "All Polluters" to Tell Them, "Take Back Our Trash"

: Category: Latest; Published: 24 August 2023

KuldeepChauhan,Editor-in-Chief,HimbuMail

SHIMLA: Large number of producers, importers, and brand owners in Himachal Pradesh are yet to be registered for an effective plastic waste management in the state. The state has made some beginning to bring them on board for the first time.

NGOs including IMI are raising concern over the plastic menace in the mountain states that has assumed alarming proportions. They have been pressing upon the states to bring producers, importers, brand owners on board, taking, punitive action against the violators by implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR).

The slogans like "Take back your trash" are echoing in nook and cranny of the Himalayan states as the civil society groups have taken the battle right into the enemy's camp- primary polluters of the mountains.

The recent spate of flash floods caused by the heavy rains in the state including Shimla city have exposed how trash is being dumped in the hill slopes and streams and Nallah that lead to blockages of drains and water channels leading to landslides and mud floods.

It is not only Himachal Pradesh even All mountain States in the Indian Himalaya region have to bring all stakeholders onboard asking them to take back their trash.

ntegrated Mountain Initiative(IMI) high level team had also met the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently and took the matter with him.

It was at CM's initiate that the department brought the key stakeholders on board and convened a crucial meeting today, August 24, 2023.

Representatives from Action Alliance for Recycling Beverage Cartons (AARC), Pet Packaging Association for Clean Environment (PACE), and Waste Efficient Collection and Recycling Efforts (WE Care) congregated to discuss strategies for better plastic waste management in the state.

The meeting highlighted the urgency to register all brand owners and plastic material producers in Himachal Pradesh. Presently, 30 such entities have completed registration, while a significant number remain unregistered.

An important focal point of the meeting was the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

The discussions revealed that Plastic Waste Processors operating in the state need to be registered across all districts.

This initiative aims to increase accountability among producers, importers, and brand owners, urging them to register on a centralized portal developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board.

To ensure transparency, the regional officers of HP State Pollution Control Board will verify the accuracy of plastic waste credits concerning the waste generated by producers, importers, and brand owners in Himachal Pradesh.

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Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

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Himachal Pradesh including Other Himalaya States Yet to Register "All Polluters" to Tell Them, "Take Back Our Trash"

The slogans like "Take back your trash" are echoing in nook and cranny of the Himalayan states as the civil society groups have taken the battle right into the enemy's camp- primary polluters of the mountains.

The discussions revealed that Plastic Waste Processors operating in the state need to be registered across all districts.

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