In a written reply to the House, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said, "Based on a survey by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), it is estimated that 1.47 lakh metric tons of e-waste was generated in the country in 2005, which is expected to increase to about 8 lakh MT by 2012."
On steps taken by government to tackle import of such waste, she said, "Import is permitted only for recycling or recovery or reuse with the permission of the Environment Ministry or the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)."
Permission for import and export of e-waste can be considered only by those recycling units which have environmentally sound facilities and are registered with the State Pollution Control Board, she added.
On steps to ensure sound management of e-waste, she said, "Separate e-waste Rules 2011 have been notified on 12th May, 2011. These rules have come into effect from May 1, 2012."
The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility has been enshrined in these rules to make it a mandatory activity for the manufacturer of electronic and electrical equipments, Natarajan said.
"Under these the producers are responsible for collection of e-waste generated from the end of life of their products by setting up collection centres or take back systems either individually or collectively," she added.
Replying to a question on disposal of toxic waste in Union Carbide factory at Bhopal, she said, "Supreme Court in an order dated April 4, 2012 has directed the authorities to undertake all necessary steps for conducting trial disposal of 10 metric tonnes of waste in three months."
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