Rajasthan High Court Demands Concrete Action on Solid Waste Management
The Rajasthan High Court has issued a firm directive to the state government, emphasizing that court orders must translate into tangible action rather than remain as mere paperwork. In a significant move, the court has ordered the government to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the actual, ground-level status of solid waste management across all 44 districts of Rajasthan.
Court's Directive for Transparency and Accountability
Passing the order on February 12, with the copy uploaded to the court's website on Thursday, the division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma made it clear that it expects concrete information on sanitation measures. The court explicitly stated that it will not accept policy statements or assurances without verifiable data.
"Despite the lapse of considerable time, a complete and satisfactory report is yet to be placed on record," the court remarked, highlighting the delay in compliance with its earlier directive from October 3, 2023. The court instructed the additional advocate general to submit the status report via an affidavit as previously ordered.
Specific Requirements for the Affidavit
The court has mandated that the affidavit must spell out specific steps taken for effective solid waste management statewide. This includes:
- Details on door-to-door garbage collection systems implemented across districts.
- Information on the removal of accumulated waste from towns and cities.
- Comprehensive data on sanitation staff deployed in various municipal areas.
The order stems from a long-pending public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kesar Mahavir Seva Trust and others, which drew attention to civic apathy and poor urban sanitation in Sikar. The PIL highlighted persistent failures of municipal bodies in handling rubbish, leading to unhygienic conditions, health hazards, and environmental degradation.
Background of the PIL and Legal Proceedings
Kinshuk Jain, counsel for the petitioner, explained the case's history: "When we filed the writ petition in 2016, it was specifically for Sikar. On September 16, 2016, the HC asked the state to provide data on sanitation facilities based on the government's notification issued on March 11, 2015, in which the government promised to adopt a mechanism for handling solid waste management. The court then asked the state to provide data for every district in the state."
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 6, when the High Court will examine the affidavit submitted by the state government. This hearing will be crucial in assessing whether the government has taken substantive steps to address the solid waste management crisis or if further interventions are necessary.
The court's directive serves as a reminder of the judiciary's role in ensuring governmental accountability and the implementation of environmental and public health measures. It underscores the urgency of addressing solid waste management issues to prevent health hazards and environmental degradation across Rajasthan.
