Not just sanitation workers; every citizen has to maintain cleanliness: SC

The Supreme Court has emphasized that every citizen, not just sanitation workers, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and adhering to solid waste management (SWM) rules. In a significant ruling, the court directed education departments to train students in both theoretical and practical aspects of SWM, clarifying that educated individuals serve as the most effective agents for educating others, including parents and relatives, about proper waste management practices.

The bench comprising Justices SVN Bhatti and NV Anjaria highlighted that a well-informed citizenry is crucial for the successful implementation of SWM rules, as they bear the responsibility of segregating, storing, and handing over solid waste appropriately.

The court also directed district education departments to conduct regular audits and report back to district collectors, who would subsequently communicate with state chief secretaries. The court warned that a persistent mindset of passivity among citizens can lead to severely detrimental pandemic and endemic situations, as the sheer volume and complexity of solid waste generated by India's population of over 1.4 billion cannot be managed by any single class of workers.

The court stressed that the infrastructure requiring audit and upgradation to meet SWM standards is a critical issue that must be addressed promptly.

Furthermore, the court underscored that the duty to segregate, safely store, and transfer solid waste applies to every individual, household, institution, and establishment. It directed the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC), comprising secretaries of five Union ministries, to prioritize addressing water pollution caused by solid municipal waste.

The court set a six-week deadline for states, public sector companies, and government departments to report compliance with its directives, given that the committee was constituted on June 5.

The court noted that the most significant challenge lies in the unorganized sector of residential, commercial, and business establishments, urging the SCMC to focus on this area. It reiterated the constitutional and statutory duty under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, for citizens to maintain clean air, water, and the environment.

The court emphasized that relying solely on state supervision of an educated citizenry will not suffice, as it deemed such an approach legally incorrect, practically unsustainable, and ethically questionable. The court directed district collectors to ensure compliance by informing bulk waste generators of their duties and the consequences of non-compliance, which could include temporary disconnection of power or water supply.