ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we shall study the reforms initiated for solid waste management, and specifically household garbage collection. The nature of garbage collection enables flexibility in contracting out-side the public monopoly, favouring the creation of contestable markets. 2 Even before the beginning of the 1990s, some urban local bodies had introduced changes in the governance of this sector (National Institute of Urban Affairs 1999). These experiences ranged from the introduction of international private operators in Chennai (Anand 1999; Srinivasan 2006), local private contracting in Hyderabad (Baud et al. 2004), and increased number of initiatives and partnerships in large cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Surat (Asnani 2006) as well as small towns (Water and Sanitation Program 2006). In cities, at an annual average of 5 per cent, waste generated grows more rapidly than the population. Rising incomes and consumerism have led to a shift in waste composition with the decline of compostable waste, the rise of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials (Asnani 2006). Moreover, greater expectations for cleanliness and the role of senior bureaucrats contributed to governance reforms in a sector otherwise disregarded and plagued by inefficiency (Supreme Court of India 1999). Further, following public interest litigation (PIL) in 1996, the Supreme Court set up a committee to look into the matters of solid waste management. It made a number of recommendations related to technical, financial, institutional, and labour aspects. The intervention of the Supreme Court is a milestone event which confirms the growing role of the judiciary in urban governance (Dupont and Ramanathan 2009). While promoting partnerships (public–private or public–civic groups), the rationalisation of public management and institutional strengthening (Supreme Court of India 1999: 54), the stand of the Court echoes the ‘good governance’ discourse but is more compelling. Its recommendations were incorporated in the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000 notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests with which municipalities have to comply. 3
