CAG Sounds Alarm on Goa's Mounting E-Waste Menace
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has issued a stark warning about Goa's electronic waste crisis. Their recent audit uncovered a severe threat to public health and the environment. The state completely failed to monitor or safely process more than 35,000 tonnes of discarded electronics.
Systemic Failure in Waste Collection
Between 2019 and 2023, a shocking 98% of Goa's e-waste never reached official collection points. Instead, this hazardous material flowed directly to unauthorized scrap dealers. Much of it ended up dumped in landfills, contaminating soil and water.
Formal collection systems managed to recover a mere 2% of the total e-waste generated during this period. This happened despite clear rules mandating proper handling. The audit report highlighted the dangerous components within this waste stream, including toxic lead and mercury.
Years of Delay and Inaction
The CAG report, presented to the state assembly, pointed to a critical nine-year delay. Goa still lacks a finalized statewide e-waste management plan. This is true even though national e-waste management rules came into effect back in 2016.
A consultant actually submitted a draft plan in July 2020. However, the government left the project in limbo for four full years. As recently as May 2024, the Goa Waste Management Corporation stated the plan remained "under preparation." The CAG emphasized that this prolonged policy vacuum crippled all regulatory oversight.
Stalled Infrastructure and Unregulated Sector
Infrastructure development fared no better. The state's flagship e-waste treatment facility in Pissurlem faced repeated setbacks. Authorities awarded the project in April 2021, but a one-year delay in handing over the land immediately hampered progress.
The plant was originally scheduled to begin operations by mid-2023. Now, the contractor has sought an extension until May 2025. This significant delay forces Goa to rely on a non-existent formal processing network. Consequently, the handling of hazardous materials defaults to an unmonitored informal sector.
Lax Oversight of Scrap Dealers
The audit investigation revealed a troubling reality on the ground. Over 700 scrap dealers operate across Goa. Yet, not a single registered dealer holds authorization to handle electronic waste.
The CAG dismissed the pollution control board's claim of conducting inspections as "not tenable." Auditors noted a complete absence of random checks. They also found no comprehensive inventory to track the flow of waste from manufacturers to recyclers.
Urgent Recommendations for Goa
The CAG report concludes with clear directives for immediate action. It recommends that the Goa Waste Management Corporation must:
- Expedite the completion of the Pissurlem treatment facility without further delay.
- Finalize the long-overdue state e-waste management plan promptly.
Furthermore, the pollution control board received instructions to identify and register all scrap dealers. This step is crucial to ensure that e-waste undergoes scientific disposal. It aims to stop the clandestine, hazardous practices that currently threaten Goa's entire ecosystem.
