Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Saturday issued directions for effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, across the state, in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court and provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
“District Commissioners have been authorized to conduct infrastructure audits and undertake quarterly performance reviews of urban and rural local bodies. Co-District Commissioners are also empowered to undertake inspections and ensure urban-rural convergence of waste management infrastructure,” the Chief Secretary said.
Kota said that all urban and rural local bodies have been directed to ensure 100 percent compliance with SWM rules, including mandatory four-stream segregation (wet, dry, sanitary, and special care waste) and time-bound remediation of legacy waste.
“Local bodies have been asked to notify outer timelines for achieving full compliance within 60 days and prepare time-bound action plans for legacy waste remediation,” he said.
The Chief Secretary further said nodal officers have to be designated at the block (BDO) and ward levels (not below junior engineer) within 30 days for implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
“Monthly reporting with geo-tagged evidence is mandated; registration of bulk waste generators on the CPCB portal and enforcement of extended bulk waste generator responsibility provisions,” he stated.
“Department of Housing and Urban Affairs and Panchayat and Rural Development to prepare and implement action plans and undertake IEC outreach; Department of Education to integrate SWM in curricula and promote awareness; Assam Pollution Control Board to support monitoring, compliance, translation of rules and enforcement, including environmental compensation mechanisms,” Kota stated.
“Online grievance redressal systems will be established while digital, real-time monitoring and integration with the centralized CPCB portal have been mandated. Three-tier enforcement framework including fines, prosecution and accountability of officials prescribed,” he said.
The Chief Secretary further directed concerned departments to take necessary action, in consultation with stakeholders and competent authorities, to ensure alignment with the directions of the Supreme Court within a period of three months or at the earliest possible time. “Interim measures will have to be undertaken immediately under the supervision of the State Level Committee,” he added.