New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday quoted Delhi’s garbage problem as alarming and asked the concerned authorities and AAP government to prepare a scheme for its timely disposal.
AAP government’s plea of keeping its MLAs out of the ambit of cleanliness of the national capital was also rejected by the Supreme Court. AAP mentioned in the plea that it is the job of local bodies to keep garbage problem in check.
"It's a bully who blames others for problems. Don't say MLAs have no responsibility in keeping the city clean. You have large number of MLAs and you must ask them to spread awareness about keeping the city clean," the SC said.
"Garbage mounds near landfill sites are above 45 metres. These are almost like towers as like Qutub Minar. Height of Qutub Minar is 73 metres and these mounds are more than half the size. It's an alarming situation. Who is going to deal with it? You (government) have to deal with the problem," a bench of Justices M B Lokur and Adarsh Kumar Goel said.
The observations came when Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar appearing for Delhi Chief Secretary pointed out that near three landfill sites at Okhla, Gazipur and Bhalswa, there are garbage mounds of the height of 45 metres.
The bench asked Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra that the AAP had MLAs across Delhi who could create awareness among the people about garbage disposal.
Mehra said the MLAs have to look after several other responsibilities including construction of drains, sewers and roads in their constitutencies and asking them to create awareness was "just too much".
"Don't say that. It has to start from home. Your MLAs, your elected representatives, they should sensitise the people. Don't say that MLAs do not have responsibilities," the bench said.
The court while directing that MLAs of Okhla, Gazipur and Bhalswa areas to attend meetings with all stakeholders, also enquired about how much amount does each MLA get for local area development. It was informed that each MLA got Rs 4 crore as local area development fund.
The bench asked the Delhi government that it should be ready for future eventualities and not take measures only when the problem arose.
"You have to be ready for the situation. Now that avian flu cases are being reported, Deer Park has been closed. Dengue and Chikungunya cases are now low. You have to be ready for all situations," the bench said.
(With PTI inputs)
