If
the latest ruling of the Supreme Court banning the import of all hazardous and
toxic waste in the country is put into force, World’s largest ship breaking
yard at Alang may be forced to shut down.
“Alang
may have to stop operations if the direction of Apex Court on banning import of
all hazardous and toxic wastes under the BASEL Convention is implemented,”
president of Ship Recyclers Association, Vishnu Gupta said.
However,
it is to be noted that hearing the same case earlier, the Apex Court had issued
two directions in 1997 and 2003.
“According
to SC guidance, a committee was set up and there are 18 guidelines which ship
breakers follow at the time of import, beaching and breaking so as to avoid any
hazardous or toxic wastes,” Gupta added.“As the Supreme Court’s recent order
has created confusion, only Union government can clarify the matter.
We
need some notification in this regards to clear the air,” Gupta said.Apex
court, in its order, has reasserted its earlier interim direction on handling
of hazardous materials and ship breaking activities.
However,
the bench also directs government to ban import of all hazardous and toxic
waste.“Reasserting the interim directions given with regard to the handling of
hazardous wastes and ship breaking in the various orders passed in the writ
petition from time to time and, in particular, the orders dated 13th October,
1997 and 14th October, 2003.
The
Central Government is also directed to ban import of all hazardous/toxic wastes
which had been identified and declared to be so under the BASEL Convention and
its different protocols. The Central Government is also directed to bring the
Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, in line with the
BASEL Convention and Articles 21, 47 and 48A of the Constitution,” the bench
said in its order on July 6. “If this is the case than there is anomaly and we
will need further clarification in this regards. Ship breaking activity has
already been following various guidelines as per the directions of the SC
order. However, banning of import will include ban on all types of imports
including the ship,” an official with a pollution control board said.
Source: DNA India. By Bhavesh Shah. 12 July 2012
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_sc-verdict-may-drown-worlds-largest-ship-breaking-yard-at-alang_1714047
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