Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: In light of a Supreme Court order, the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department of Jharkhand has issued comprehensive guidelines for solid waste management, directing authorities to frame rules for penalising gram panchayats that fail to comply with waste management norms.
SC Verdict Triggers State Action
The department issued these guidelines in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order dated May 5 in the Bhopal Municipal Corporation versus Dr Subhash C Pandey case. The order places the full responsibility of solid and liquid waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission Rural-2 on the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
Funding and Convergence Framework
The 16th Finance Commission has provisioned 50 percent of basic grants through the MNREGA scheme for village-level waste management on a convergence basis. The Urban Development Department has also been directed to link villages to the broader waste management framework.
Key Directives Issued to Districts
Several specific actions have been mandated under the Supreme Court’s directions. Sanitation workers at the district level must ensure regular reach up to panchayat secretaries. Districts are to encourage outstanding waste management work at the village level, while rules must be framed to penalise non-compliant gram panchayats. A dedicated special cell is to be set up at the district level to oversee and ensure waste management across gram panchayats.
Ground-Level Implementation Measures
The Supreme Court’s order on waste management is to be translated into regional languages and distributed widely. Gram panchayats are to be encouraged to segregate waste at source, with door-to-door mapping of waste generators to be carried out. Villagers are to be instructed to keep solid and liquid waste separate, and door-to-door waste collection must be ensured at the rural level.
Data Upload and Training Mandated
Details of bulk waste generators at the village level are to be compiled and uploaded on a portal being developed by the Government of India. Training programmes for those working under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 are also to be organised to ensure effective on-ground implementation.
