Daily News Analysis » February 2024 » Public Accounts Committee Findings on Plastic Waste Management by Ministry of Environment: 22 Feb, 2024

Public Accounts Committee Findings on Plastic Waste Management by Ministry of Environment: 22 Feb, 2024

Recently, a parliamentary panel has highlighted the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) inadequate efforts in managing plastic waste.

Key Findings:

Recognizes the Ministry’s initiatives since May 2021 but calls for more robust measures to mitigate plastic pollution hazards.
Plastic waste generation in India rose almost three times from 2015-16 to 2020-21.
Half of the plastic waste (34.7 lakh TPA) was not recycled in 2019-20, contributing to pollution and health risks.
Noted significant data discrepancies and lack of validation in the plastic waste information reported by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Emphasized the necessity of identifying cost-effective and reliable alternatives to plastic to facilitate its reduction.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

Establishment: Established in 1921 following the Montford Reforms under the Government of India Act, 1919.
Annual Constitution: Constituted annually as per Rule 308 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.
Chairman Appointment: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints the Chairman of the PAC.
Functions as an advisory body without executive powers.
Members: Includes 22 members, with 15 elected by the Lok Sabha Speaker and 7 by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, serving a one-year term. It bars any Minister from being a member to maintain impartial scrutiny of government spending
Purpose and Function: Ensures that the government expenditure is within the approved scope of demand, scrutinizing the utilization of funds granted by Parliament.

Why in News:

Recently, a parliamentary panel has highlighted the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) inadequate efforts in managing plastic waste.