NGT imposes fine on RIICO, state pollution board
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of ₹1 crore on the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB).
The penalty has been imposed to compensate “for not paying due attention on upkeep of RIICO industrial area as well as failing to regulate industrial operation for not having proper treatment and spillages of effluents on the roads in Jodhpur.”
The fine is to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“We direct RIICO and RSPCB to take action as indicated in the high-powered committee report. Both the agencies shall recover the environmental compensation from the water polluting industries generating effluents and discharging it into pipeline or drain,” the tribunal said.
The division bench, comprising Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore and expert member Satyawan Singh Garbyal, had constituted a high-powered committee to look into acute acid intake in the water coming to the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in Jodhpur.
The CETP of 20 MLD capacity was established for the treatment of polluted water released from the textile and steel re-roll- ing industries operating in Jodhpur. The high-powered committee has submitted a detail report. Apart from examining the industries, CETP, the committee has made observations with regard to the deficiencies and the fact that the prescribed norms and parameters are not being followed.
“All the Steel and Textiles Industries operating in RIICO industrial area as well as other areas shall operate up to December 31, 2018 and in the meanwhile, set up primary effluent treatment plant (PEPT) to meet with PETP standards. If the industry takes more time for setting up treatment plant or to take steps for making it operative, it shall be liable to pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs. 25,000 per day but in no case should exceed a period of 90 days,” the NGT said.
‘RSPCB shall adopt the standards suggested by the committee. The CETP being operated by Jodhpur Pradushan Nivaran Trust (JPNT) shall comply with the CETP outlet standards to meet with the surface water quality standards as the effluent is to be discharged into the river Jojri, as per the consent granted by RSPCB. CETP shall ensure that at least 75% of the treated effluent should be utilised by the member industries or alternatively, may be utilised for irrigation with proper irrigation plan,” the bench said. “In case of shutdown of CETP, all the members of industries will also shut down their operation till the CETP starts functioning.”
“The sewage treatment plants shall comply with the standards notified by MoEF & CC and treated effluents shall be utilised for irrigation. Only the unutilized treated sewage may be disposed into the river subject in compliance with the standards,” the NGT said. The NGT also directed the irrigation department to provide potable water to the Gram Panchayat and Araba village. The next hearing has been fixed for March 15, 2019.
Jagdish Singh, regional officer, RSPCB, said, “A meeting will be held in Jaipur on November 20 in which the line of action will be decided.”
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