Eshwar Khandre Orders Criminal Cases for Waste Dumping in Nelamangala Lake

On Friday, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre directed officials to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals and organizations dumping hazardous medical, biomedical, and electronic waste into rural water bodies like lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

The directive aims to send a strong message against environmental violations in rural areas, emphasizing the protection of lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other water bodies from contamination.

The order was issued during a surprise inspection of the Yantaganahalli Gram Panchayat in Nelamangala taluk, located within the Bengaluru Rural district, following serious complaints from local residents about environmental pollution.

During the minister's visit to the locality, villagers alleged that medical waste was being illegally dumped into the village lake. They stated that this illegal dumping activity was contaminating the local water body and posing a direct threat to public health in the area.

Taking serious note of the complaints raised by the residents, Minister Khandre immediately instructed taluk panchayat officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and register police cases against those responsible for the pollution.

An inspection of the canal leading to the Yantaganahalli Lake revealed large, hazardous heaps of biomedical waste. The dumped items discovered by officials included used syringes, medicine vials, discarded bandages, expired drug capsules, hospital mattresses, gloves, and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits.

The minister's surprise visit also transitioned into a comprehensive review of grassroots governance as local residents raised a series of other civic and administrative grievances.

Expressing concern over delays in service delivery to the public, Minister Khandre directed local officials to address these administrative issues. He specifically ordered them to dispose of all pending 11B applications, which pertain to the regularisation of properties, within a strict deadline of 15 days.