All waste, including hazardous, will be tracked: CM

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant sent a strong message to industries, stating that the dumping of hazardous and industrial waste in non-designated areas would not be tolerated. He chaired a meeting of the Goa Waste Management Corporation on Friday, and said that all types of waste, including industrial, chemical, and biomedical waste generated in the state, will be monitored and tracked.Sawant said that while nearly all hospitals and medical facilities complied with norms for the disposal of biomedical waste, just half of Goa’s industries signed up to dispose of their hazardous waste at the designated facility.“Even though we have a hazardous waste treatment facility, of the 350 identified industries, just 50 dispose of their waste there. The others say that they are giving it to some firms outside Goa, but this will not work. As per the policy decision, the waste has to be disposed of at a suitable facility created for that particular waste,” said Sawant.He directed the GWMC to frame a comprehensive policy to monitor and regulate the disposal of waste, particularly hazardous, biomedical, and construction debris, in the state.Sawant also called for stronger waste management systems to ensure complete compliance with waste treatment laws, particularly for hazardous waste, construction debris, and chemicals.He emphasised the need for scientific, transparent, and time-bound waste management practices to keep the state clean and green.“We called all stakeholders, municipalities, panchayats, industries, and others for a meeting. We are taking a policy decision to track all waste generated in Goa,” said Sawant.The CM said that with biomedical waste being properly treated and handled, the focus will now turn to chemical waste, hazardous waste, and construction debris.“We want to keep Goa clean and green, and we are creating facilities to handle the waste, so stakeholders will have to comply. We are not going to leave those who fail to use these facilities. Whether they have to be fined or the rules need to be tightened, all has been initiated. A proper policy will be prepared soon,” he said.