SC query to CM & L- G: Who will clear garbage?

‘ Mountain load of garbage in capital city’

New Delhi, July 10: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and the Delhi government to clarify by Wednesday who could be held responsible for clearing the “mountain loads of garbage” in the national capital — those reporting to L- G Anil Baijal or to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The top court’s direction came days after its verdict on the power tussle between the lieutenantgovernor and the Aam Aadmi Party government in which it held that the LG has no independent power to take decisions and is bound by the elected government’s aid and advice.

“Now, we have the advantage of the verdict. There is mountain load of garbage in Delhi, particularly in Bhalswa, Okhla and Ghazipur. We would like to know who is responsible for clearing the garbage – those answerable to the lieutenantgovernor or those answerable to the chief minister,” a bench of Justices M. B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta said.

At the outset, the bench asked additional solicitor general Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, and the counsel for Delhi government, under whose jurisdiction fell waste management.

“Under whose jurisdiction does waste management falls. Where is an affidavit on waste management policy? Who is responsible for clearing mountains and mountains of garbage in Delhi? Tell us by tomorrow,” the bench said.

Ms Anand said she will file an affidavit by Wednesday on the issue.

“The affidavit in this regard should be filed by the concerned officer of both the functionaries by tomorrow. For this purpose, list the matter on July 12,” the bench said.

During the hearing, the court observed that Delhi is getting buried under mounds of garbage and Mumbai is sinking under water, but the government is doing nothing.