“Consent to Operate issued by the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) and the Provisional Registration from the DIC had already expired”
K Koushal
In a development that raises serious questions over the role and integrity of officials at the helm, the District Industries Centre (DIC) Samba has finally issued a Show Cause Notice to M/s Ramasethu Infrastructure Private Limited over grave irregularities concerning land allotment, investment discrepancies, and violation of pollution control norms.
As per the available documents, the notice, issued on April 21, 2025, directs the company to suspend all operations immediately and demands a written explanation within seven days.
“The action comes after it was revealed that Ramasethu Infrastructure had been operating without valid registration and necessary environmental clearances, in blatant violation of the J&K Industrial Policy, Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other pollution control regulations,” reads the documents, adding that Ramasethu Infrastructure was allotted 64 kanals of prime industrial land at a token premium of Rs. 1 per kanal under the pretext of setting up an “Integrated Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, Disposal, and Recycling Facility” at IGC Phase-II, Samba.
However, against the proposed investment of Rs. 149.58 crore, the company invested a meager Rs. 12.53 crore as per a CA certificate, raising serious doubts about the project’s credibility from the beginning.
“Shockingly, the Consent to Operate issued by the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) and the Provisional Registration from the DIC had already expired, yet the company continued commercial operations,” said reliable sources, adding that further compounding the illegality, another Bio-Medical Waste facility — Anmol Health Care — was already operational within a 75-kilometer radius, rendering Ramasethu’s facility non-compliant as per the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Interestingly, The Typewriter had exposed this irregular allotment two years ago ([read the report here]
https://thetypewriter.in/explained-how-sidco-give-away-64-kanals-land-to-hyderabad-based-private-firm-in-samba-rs-1/: Explained: Why After Two Years of Silence, Authorities Act Against Hyderabad-Based Firm Over Samba Land Irregularity, highlighting how the then management of SIDCO allegedly gave away precious industrial land to a Hyderabad-based private firm at throwaway rates.
Despite the glaring red flags pointed out in the investigative report, the concerned authorities remained allegedly complicit, allowing the violations to continue unchecked.
The delayed action raises a disturbing question: Were the officials truly unaware of these violations, or was there a deliberate attempt to shield the irregularities? The integrity and accountability of those entrusted with safeguarding public resources are now under serious scrutiny.
While the DIC’s action might appear corrective, the damage — both financial and environmental — has already been done.
Sources believed that a mere suspension notice is not enough and DEMANDED a full-fledged investigation into how the land was allotted, why monitoring mechanisms failed, and whether any undue favors were extended to the company.
