The Supreme Court is hearing a case related to deaths due to dengue in New Delhi and in other states. On the previous hearings, the court had taken cognizance of the steps which should be taken to avert the deaths caused due to dengue and had pointed out that solid waste management issues be taken up seriously. For that the court had directed the Delhi government to constitute a committee on the solid waste management and submit a plan of action.

On February 6, the counsel for one of the parties informed the bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta that meeting was held on the solid waste management but the discussions were not implemented though some states have started implementation.

However, Bihar, Assam and Andhra Pradesh have not responded to the discussions.

Annoyed with the developments on the issue, the bench stated under rule 23 of solid waste management rules, a 17-member-committee should be formed while only 15-member committee has been formed.

The court ordered the counsel to give details of meetings held by committee under rule 23 of solid waste management rules. To this the counsel submitted the details of minutes of meeting to the bench and contented that segregation of waste is important for treating waste.

The bench directed the counsels appearing for Union of India and Delhi Government to submit the details of official minutes of  meeting held on January 12 and granted three weeks time.

—India Legal Bureau