Fake bio-med waste disposal plant: Owner summoned
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 21, 2013: In a follow up action after the closure of a fake biomedical waste disposal plant at Samurou Makha Leikai in Imphal West by officials of Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) yesterday, the owner of the plant identified as Salam Modhusudhon has been summoned to appear at the office of MPCB, Lamphelpat on Monday.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board Dr Ng Bijoy said that the Rural Multipurpose Development Organization (RMDO) has not sought any permission from the State Pollution Control Board before starting a biomedical waste disposal plant at Samurou, which is in total violation of the Government rules.

An urgent meeting of MPCB was convened today to discuss the grave issue.

Subsequently, the Board resolved to summon the owner of the plant at the office of MPCB on Monday.

Necessary papers have been sent to him.

The Board would take the help of police if the owner fails to comply with the directive, the Chairman noted.

He further maintained that the Pollution Control Board has the legal authority to penalize the defaulters with imprisonment for more than six months along with a huge amount of money as fine.

The owner would be grilled by the Board officials for improper disposal of biomedical wastes collected from various hospitals and clinics of the State in total violation of Biomedical Wastes (Handling and Management) Rules, 1998. Bijoy contented that the improper disposal of biomedical wastes as done by RMDO is punishable under the law.

However, it would be premature to say about the recycle of used syringes in the State.

Further investigations would be conducted to ascertain the matter, the Chairman added.

He said that a proper bio-medical waste disposal plant must have equipments such as autoclave, incinerator, sharp pit and shredder in an area not less than one acre.

The residents in and around the plant must also issue no-objection certificate before its commission.

The bio-medical wastes released from the hospitals must also be segregated as human anatomical waste, micro-biological waste, discarded medicine and psychotropic drugs, soil waste and solid waste.

All hospitals in the State have been directed to submit reports within three months if they have facility for biomedical waste disposal under strict norms of the Government.

The Pollution Control Board has full authority to close down a hospital or clinic if it is found lacking the biomedical waste disposal facility, Dr Bijoy asserted.

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