Planning Commission 13-May, 2014 12:41 IST A Task Force on “Waste to Energy” has submitted its report to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia. The Task Force was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. K. Kasturirangan to identify technically feasible, financially affordable and environmentally sound processing and disposal technologies for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). It had also evaluated technological options, financial mechanisms and institutional arrangements to enhance resource recovery and promote Waste to Energy technologies. Urban India currently generates 170,000 tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) each day. Only 19% of this waste is treated and rest goes to dump sites causing serious problems to health and environment. The situation is assuming alarming proportions in the country. The report highlights the need for an integrated approach towards MSW management, stressing reduction and segregation of waste at source and also efficient utilization of various components of the waste. It emphasizes setting up centralised or decentralised waste processing facilities keeping in view the quantity and quality of waste generated and financial viability of the processing technology. The report provides guidance for the selection of appropriate technology and clearly indicates technologies that could be adopted by various classes of cities. It emphasizes on converting the combustible waste into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to be used in power plants based on RDF. The report strongly recommends Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a mode of service delivery to achieve the target set for Sustainable Waste Management. A model scheme has also been detailed for setting up Waste to Energy projects through PPP mode, including a viability gap funding up to 40%. The report is being sent to the Chief Ministers of all the States for use as a guideline document for integrated waste management. This report is expected to provide appropriate linkages to the new Municipal Solid Waste rules being currently framed by MoEF and the national manual for Solid Waste Management being revised by MoUD. The copy of the report is placed in the public domain and may be accessed from the website of the Planning Commission, (http:// planningcommission.nic.in/)