Ministry's secretary Meena Gupta said the government would soon announce amendments to the municipal solid waste management regulations, which will lay down effective and practicable guidelines and timeframes for waste management.

The ministry has completed the consultation process with different stakeholders on the new approach required to clean Indian cities. "We are in the process of finalising the amendments. The amendments will begin a paradigm shift in solid waste management," she said.

CLEANING UP

• The ministry has completed the consultation process with different stakeholders on the new approach required to clean Indian cities.
  
• The government is looking at effective Public Private Partnership models for municipal waste management where the waste can be recycled to produce compost or electricity.
  
• "Sustainable waste management is a concept that can materialise only if service delivery is linked to private sector," Enviornment Minister's Secretary Meena Gupta said.

According to ministry sources, the government is looking at effective Public Private Partnership models for municipal waste management where the waste can be recycled to produce compost or electricity. Delhi has already worked on these lines and some other cities like Mumbai is working, the official said.

Gupta, speaking at a seminar on waste management at FICCI, said the government realises the importance of engaging the private sector in waste management operations. "Sustainable waste management is a concept that can materialise only if service delivery is linked to private sector," she said.

Former environment secretary Prodipto Ghosh sought viable PPP models for operation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste on payment of user fees. He also wanted legal recognition to informal sector involved in collection and recycling of waste.