The Jharkhand High Court on Friday directed deputy commissioners (DCs) of all districts in the state to submit detailed reports on the measures taken for the management and disposal of biowaste materials in their respective jurisdictions.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Rajesh Shankar issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Jharkhand Human Rights Confederation, a non-governmental organisation.
Expressing its displeasure over non-compliance with earlier orders, the bench noted that several DCs had failed to file the mandated reports despite being directed to do so. The court warned that continued negligence on the issue would not be taken lightly and fixed the next date of hearing for May 8.
The PIL originally sought judicial intervention into improper disposal of biowaste in the state capital, Ranchi. However, given the seriousness of the issue, the court later expanded the scope of the case to cover all districts of Jharkhand.
According to the petition, biowaste, particularly medical waste from hospitals, is being irresponsibly discarded in open areas and water bodies due to the absence of a systematic disposal mechanism. The petitioner alleged that this gross mismanagement not only leads to environmental pollution but also poses a serious risk of infection and spread of diseases.
