the ministry of environment and forests (mef) has taken strong exception to the free import of fertilisers by the industry, encouraging foreign countries to dump toxic wastes on Indian soil. The mef has drafted a prohibition on the import of wastes that comprise mainly asbestos dust and fibre, chemicals like beryllium, thallium, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and their residues.
The list proposes banning wastes containing chromium, waste oils and other chlorine-based wastes and also proposes prohibiting the burning of waste oil. The ministry still has to take a clear decision on metallic wastes imported for recycling purposes. The import controls on hazardous wastes are notified by the mef on the recommendations of the Mashelkar committee formed in September 1996.
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