Aafrin Kidwai 
Representational photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General’s audit report, the Environment Ministry’s lack of an action plan prevented the successful implementation of India’s Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) lacks an action plan for implementing the PWM Rules 2016, according to a report that the government auditor submitted to Parliament on Tuesday. As a result, the rules cannot be implemented effectively and efficiently.
The audit found that the CPCB failed to verify the accuracy and validity of the data it received from SPCBs and PCCs. The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and the MoEF&CC did not have a complete and comprehensive picture of the generation of plastic garbage in the entire country between 2015 and 2020 because of data gaps.
The CAG report also stated that none of Delhi’s three sampled ULBs (urban local bodies) provided the DPCC with information on the amount of plastic waste they created annually between 2015 and 20.
According to the National Herald., the CAG has advised the Ministry to set up a system for efficient data gathering on the production, collection, and disposal of plastic waste through its agencies (CPCB, SPCBs/PCCs) and monitor their performance.
Additionally, it stated that the CPCB and state PCBs/PCCs, working with local organizations, must periodically conduct a thorough assessment of the amount of plastic waste generated and collected in accordance with factors such as population size, geographic area, economic growth, increased demand for consumer goods, changes in manufacturing techniques, etc.
“Ineffective monitoring by MoEF&CC and delay in the release of financial assistance resulted in the non-achievement of environmental benefits from the demonstration project and unfruitful expenditure of Rs 73.35 lakh,” the report stated in reference to unproductive spending on a demonstration project.
