1: A Stark Red Flag on India's Plastic Waste Management

- The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns over the handling of plastic waste in India.

- The criticism primarily targets the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for its lackadaisical approach towards this growing problem.

- While the PAC acknowledged the Ministry's efforts since May 2021, it emphasised the need for more effective measures.

- The report cites a swelling increase in plastic waste generation from 15.9 lakh tonnes per annum in 2015-16 to a staggering 41.2 lakh TPA in 2020-21.

- Most alarming was the revelation that half of the total plastic waste in the country remained unutilized in 2019-20. This directly contributes to pollution of air, water, and soil, with far-reaching effects on human health.

2: Gaps Destabilising Plastic Waste Management

- The PAC pointed out a significant data gap, with numerous State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) failing to provide data on plastic waste generation for 2016-18 to the CPCB.

- Data inconsistencies were also noticed between records from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and SPCBs.

3: International and National Measures Against Plastic Pollution

- The UN's Environment Assembly, with 124 participating countries including India, signed a resolution in 2022 to create a legal binding agreement to end plastic pollution.

- At the national level, the Indian Government imposed a ban on uncollectable/recyclable Single-Use Plastics (SUP), prohibiting the production, import, sale, and usage of plastic bags thinner than 120 microns.

- The latest inclusion, Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, has introduced guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.

4: Recommendations and Steps Forward

- The PAC report underscores the need for authentic data assessment and mandatory reporting on the national dashboard.

- It calls for immediate measures like awareness campaigns, funds for R&D on alternatives, making implementing agencies accountable, and enhancing recycling facilities.

- It suggests a closer watch on industries and the inclusion of a bottom-up approach to include every block in the country having at least one plastic waste recycling unit.

- Encouragement for industry participation through incentives could boost compliance and foster better ties with waste pickers.

5: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and its Role

- EPR is designed to make producers accountable for the environmental impacts of their products throughout their lifecycle.

- This initiative is aimed not just towards better waste management but also alleviating the burden of waste processing and disposal from municipalities.

- EPR is applicable to a variety of waste types, including plastic waste, electronic waste (e-waste), and battery waste.

6: Introduction to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

- Both the CPCB, a statutory organisation formed in 1974, and PAC, a non-executive entity with advisory power established in 1921, are instrumental in addressing environmental concerns in India.

- While the CPCB's core function lies in providing technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, PAC monitors adherence and advises major financial policies.

Through this critical evaluation, the gravity of plastic waste pollution in India and the efforts in motion to mitigate it becomes evident. This study extensively covers the challenges, measures, and implications associated with combating plastic pollution, making it highly relevant for government exams and general knowledge expansion.