Early Times Report
Jammu, July 19: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has produced 543 tonnes of bio-medical waste during one year at the time of the pandemic. Although authorities are claiming to place an effective policy for dumping this bio-medical waste, the on-ground situation is entirely different because there is no effective mechanism to treat this hazardous waste. Recently videos have gone viral in social media wherein bio-medical waste was thrown open. The throwing of bio-medical waste in open is emerged as a big health hazard, especially during the pandemic. This has become a problem even in tourist destinations as video of bio-medical waste thrown open in the bank of the river Lidder has gone viral on social media Jammu hospital fined
During the first wave of Coronavirus, the JKPSC had imposed environmental compensation to the tune of Rs 18.28 lakh upon the Medical Superintendent of SMGS Hospital Jammu for illegal and unscientific handling and disposal of bio-medical waste.
The JKPCB had imposed the fine with the direction to deposit the same within 45 days failing which interest at the rate of 12% will accrue at the risk and responsibility of the officer.
As per reports in the local media, it has come to the fore that one of the oldest hospitals of J&K was operational without the mandatory consent to establish/operate under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and authorization under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. | 