Hazardous Substances Management Division is the nodal point within the Ministry for planning and over-seeing the implementation of policies and programmes on management of hazardous substances and chemical emergencies. The objective is to promote safe handling, management and use of hazardous substances including hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes in order to prevent potential damage to health and environment. The activities are carried out under three thrust areas, i.e., Chemical Safety, Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes and Municipal Solid Wastes. Various Rules have been notified to ensure environmentally sound management of hazardous substances and wastes in the country.
The Rules notified are implemented in association with CPCB/SPCBs/PCCs and regular monitoring is carried out by the Ministry. The Rules are also modified/amended from time to time to rationalise and streamline the policies and programmes to ensure environmentally sound management of hazardous substances.
A Central Control Room has been set-up in the Ministry to deal with emergencies arising from hazardous chemicals. A Crisis Alert System has also been established. A comprehensive National Chemical Profile is being prepared. As on date there are 1,580 Major Accident Hazard (MAH) Units in 236 districts of 17 states and 2 UTs of the country. Financial assistance is being provided to the State Governments to strengthen infrastructure for preparation of crisis management plans. As per the latest report 1,107 on-site plans and 138 off-site plans have been prepared. Most States have constituted State Level Crisis Groups. Under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 as amended in 1992, all the MAH units handling chemicals in excess of the threshold quantities referred to in the Schedule are mandated to take an insurance policy and deposit an equal amount in the Environment Relief Fund to ensure immediate payment to chemical accident victims. Out of 180 hazard-prone industrial pockets, hazard analysis studies have been undertaken, for 78 pockets. Out of 78 studies, 77 studies have been completed.
As per Hazardous Waste Rules, all hazardous wastes are required to be treated and disposed after in an environmentally sound manner as prescribed. During the 10 Plan period, focus has been given to setting up of Common Treatment, Sewage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) in different parts of the country.
The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, Fly-ash Notification, 1999 and the Recycled Plastics (Manufacture and Usage) Rules, 1999 amended in 2003 constitute the regulatory framework for the management of solid wastes in the country. Use of fly-ash in construction, laying of roads and reclamation of low-lying areas has been made mandatory. Guidelines for use of fly-ash have also been formulated and circulated to the State Governments. Manufacture and usage of plastic carry bags less than 8×20 inches in size has been banned.
The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 were notified in May 2001 to regulate the collection, channelisation and recycling of used lead acid batteries in the country. These rules inter-alia make it mandatory for consumers to return used batteries. All manufacturers/assemblers/reconditioners/importers of lead acid batteries are responsible for collecting used batteries against new ones sold as per a schedule defined in the Rules.
The Ministry is also the nodal point for three International Conventions, namely, the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). An Indian delegation participated in the Open ended Working Group meeting Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movement of hazardous waste and their disposal field at Geneva during 4-8 July 2005. The Ministry also participated in the 11th session of Inter Governmental Negotiating Committees Meeting as well as the first Conference of Parties under Stockholm Convention.
