Mumbai News

Bombay HC: Are local bodies aware of protocol on disposal of Covid biomedical waste? – Times of India

CPCB has issued guidelines for treatment and disposal of Covid waste

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the state government to inform it whether civic bodies had been made aware of the guidelines for disposal of masks, PPE and waste generated during treatment of Covid-19 patients.
“We would like to be apprised as to whether the state has issued any advisory to collectors and municipal commissioners for the proper and faithful implementation of guidelines by the Central Pollution Control Board,” said a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni.
The court was hearing an NGO’s PIL for special masks for persons with speech and hearing impairment and uniformity of fines for skipping a mask. State advocate Bhupesh Samant mentioned a May 5 circular on free masks to homeless people and beggars, and special logo masks “for deaf and dumb”. “Has it been implemented? What is the proof? Show us one mask designed with a logo,’’ said Chief Justice Datta.
The judges said they saw a news report where visitors to a hospital wore PPE to see patients. “All hospital waste was dumped in one corner. Clothes, masks, PPE kits. Would they not be dangerous for everybody?” asked Justice Kulkarni.
Samant said the waste has to be disposed of in a scientific way. He said CPCB issued guidelines on July 17, 2020, for handling, treatment and disposal of Covid-19 waste.
For the NGO, Advocate Asim Sarode said the state must spell out the process of distribution of special masks. The judges directed that on May 19 Samant “shall place before us a sample mask that the government has designed for use by individuals who are deaf and dumb”. Thet also asked how such masks would be handed over to their intended beneficiaries.
Samant said the fine for not wearing a mask is Rs 500.
Justice Kulkarni said this is the right time to implement the anti-begging law and rescue beggars and put them in homes.

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Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bombay-hc-are-local-bodies-aware-of-protocol-on-disposal-of-covid-biomedical-waste/articleshow/82618879.cms