NEWS

After the solid, bio-medical, industrial and agricultural waste, now it will be the e-waste that may pose a grave challenge to the pollution regulators in Gujarat in the coming days. The extensive use of computers and other electronic devices — in government and corporate offices, educational and research institutions and even in households across the State — has apparently made the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) sit up. The GPCB has decided to carry out a comprehensive survey to ascertain the exact quantum of e-waste being generated across Gujarat, mainly in major cities and towns. After the survey, which is expected to be completed in the next six months or so, the GPCB has plans to set up a landfill site for disposal of e-waste in Ahmedabad to begin with. Private firms willing to set up landfill sites would be provided subsidy, besides they could earn revenue on their investment by selling some useful scrap materials from the e-waste.