District-level teams to keep tabs on illegal sewage discharge in Haryana: Chief secy

KARNAL: Faced with a challenge to tap millions of litres daily (MLD) sewage discharge from industrial units, the Haryana government has now decided to form district-level committees to ensure immediate check on illegal discharge.

The decision in this regard was taken in a meeting held under the chief secretary and directions have been issued to all deputy commissioners to form joint committees at district level involving officials from the state pollution control board.

As per information, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) had taken up the issue of illegal discharge in repeated meetings and the urban local bodies department was also alerted in this regard.

The monitoring committees will conduct raids and take action against the errant industrial units found releasing untreated effluent illegally.

HT has learnt that the HSPCB was also planning to provide incentives to volunteers, who will provide secret information about people involved in releasing illegal discharge.

“As per the recommendations, every DC will constitute an inspection team at local level and the teams will help to put a check on the illegal effluents,” said HSPCB member secretary S Narayanan.

On cash incentives to informers, he said as of now, the HSPCB has taken up the issue with the Panipat DC as maximum cases of illegal discharge are being reported from there. “I have asked the Panipat DC to involve some volunteers. We will give cash awards for information on illegal discharge and the informers’ identity will be kept a secret,” he added.