“The safety and well-being of the local population must be prioritized, and adherence to environmental regulations should not be compromised”
K Koushal
In an alleged violation of Environmental Clearance (EC) regulations under the EIA Rules 2006, clearances have been issued for the installation of induction and arc furnaces across industrial areas in Kathua District.
According to the highly placed sources, the Environmental Clearance, mandated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), appears to have been bypassed in several cases, allowing highly polluting units to commence operations without the necessary environmental safeguards.
“Despite the clear stipulations of the Environment Protection Act, several units have been issued Consents to Establish (CTE) and Consents to Operate (CTO) without obtaining the required Environment Clearance (EC),” said sources, adding that this could plunge the local communities into health and safety hazards.
Sources alleged that huge irregularities have appeared in the issuance of CTE and CTO.
Sources maintained that irregularities are noted in the case of M/s Jupiter Kathua and M/s Anjaneya Industries Kathua.
“Both units, classified under the Red Category due to their high pollution potential, have been processed under the Orange Category,” alleged sources, adding that in particular, M/s Jupiter Kathua, which proposes to install eight melting furnaces, has provided incomplete information, including the type of furnace and required environmental assessments.
Sources questioned the role of the District Officer (DO) of Kathua in these cases, alleging manipulation and misinformation regarding new Environmental Clearance rules for Steel Rolling mills.
“The urgency in issuing CTEs and CTOs without following due process has raised suspicions of malpractice within the Pollution Control Board (PCB),” said sources, adding that the environmental and health impacts of these decisions are yet to be fully realized, but there is growing concern that the establishment of these polluting units without proper environmental checks will exacerbate the already dire pollution levels in these industrial areas.
Sources, however, maintained that it is imperative that a thorough investigation is conducted to identify the extent of these violations and to hold those responsible accountable.
“The safety and well-being of the local population must be prioritized, and adherence to environmental regulations should not be compromised,” sources said and added that the cases mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg, and a comprehensive review of all furnace units proposed in the last year including in Samba and Bari Brahmana is necessary to uncover the full scale of these transgressions .
Talking to The Typewriter, Member Secretary JKPCC, Ghan Shyam Singh said that he will not say anything on the matter. “DO whatever story you want to do, I will not give any statement about it,” he said.
Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment Dheeraj Gupta sought details in written, stating that he is busy in some meeting.”Send me detail in writing, so that I can forward it to the concerned chairman,” said Mr Gupta.
When asked about the indifferent approach of the pollution Control Board officials, Additional Chief Secretary sought story in writing.
