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Supreme Court Criticises Maharashtra Govt Over Lack of Funds for Solid Waste Management Projects
The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Maharashtra Government for failing to allocate funds for solid waste treatment plants in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. The court directed the state to file an affidavit specifying when the required funds would be released.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan also sought details on how many municipal corporations in the state have complied with the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules.
The court had earlier summoned Dr. H. Govindraj, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, after criticising the state's claim that it lacked funds for the projects. Appearing via video conference, Dr. Govindraj assured the court that funds would be allocated in the next financial year.
Justice Oka expressed dissatisfaction, questioning the conditional nature of the state's assurance. "Is it the stand of the State Government that you cannot pay for these projects, which are essential for implementing the 2016 rules? We will examine where the money is going. Tell us when you will release the funds," he remarked.
The court criticised the state's "brazen" approach, noting that protecting the environment is a constitutional obligation. Justice Oka pointed out that the state’s affidavit suggested that approval of the project was contingent on the cancellation or savings from other projects, calling it an unacceptable stance.
The bench directed the state to file a fresh affidavit with clear timelines for approving the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and releasing the funds. "You can't file affidavits in a roundabout way. It is disappointing that only such schemes lack funding," Justice Oka said.
During the hearing, the state claimed it was a leader in urban development projects, second only to Uttar Pradesh. The court, however, demanded evidence of compliance with the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules, instructing the government to provide a detailed affidavit.
The matter will be taken up further after the state files its updated affidavit.
