Pollution board recommends Rs 33.9 lakh fine on Samalkha factory
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has recommended an additional fine of (environment compensation) of Rs 33.90 lakh upon a liquor factory in Samalkha for discharging untreated effluents in an adjoining drain number 6.
Earlier, the HSPCB had imposed a fine of Rs 27 lakh upon the liquor factory in July after finding that the unit was discharging effluents into adjoining drain during an inspection on February 15 and February 21, respectively. The unit had deposited the fine on August 6.
A farmer had filed a complaint before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) about damage to the environment due to discharge of untreated effluents. Ramesh Kumar had complained to the HSPCB and the NGT regarding discharge of effluents, chemical and gases by Haryana Organics limited, a liquor manufacturing unit in Samalkha, which was destroying and adversely affecting his crops.
Following the complaint, the NGT constituted a joint committee in February this year and directed it to submit the factual ground report of the unit.
The joint committee comprising senior environment engineer of the Central Pollution Control Board, Panipat SDM and HSPCB Regional Officer conducted the inspection of the unit on March 14 and submitted its report to the NGT on May 28. The NGT directed compliance of suggestions made on the basis of the report of samples collected from the liquor manufacturing unit.
The joint team found biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total dissolved solids (TDS) more than the permissible limits.
Apart from this, a team of the IIT, Delhi, also visited the unit and conducted an inspection on July 4 as a third party. Later, the unit was inspected by the HSPCB in August end to verify the compliance of suggestions by the unit.
As per the report submitted by the HSPCB, the unit was engaged in manufacturing of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), country liquor, rectified spirit, extra neutral alcohol and ethanol.
Following the reports, the HSPCB on the basis of the inspection served a show-cause notice to Haryana Organics limited. The HSPCB later calculated the environmental compensation for 113 days — between March 14 (date of inspection of joint committee) and July 4 (date of inspection by the Delhi IIT team) — as per the set norms.
As per sources, the HSPCB has now recommended an additional fine of Rs 33.90 lakh on the unit for violating pollution norms and discharging untreated effluents in drain adjacent to the liquor factory. The HSPCB also submitted a detailed report of the liquor manufacturing to the NGT.
Effluents damaged complainant’s crops
- Ramesh Kumar had complained to the HSPCB and the NGT regarding discharge of effluents, chemical and gases by Haryana Organics limited, a liquor manufacturing unit in Samalkha, which was destroying and adversely affecting his crops
- Earlier, the HSPCB had imposed a fine of Rs 27 lakh upon the liquor factory in July after finding that the unit was discharging effluents into adjoining drain during an inspection on February 15 and February 21, respectively. The unit had deposited the fine on August 6.
- The HSPCB, on the basis of the inspection, served a show-cause notice to Haryana Organics limited.
- The HSPCB later calculated the compensation for 113 days — between March 14 (date of inspection of joint committee) and July 4 (date of inspection by the Delhi IIT team) — as per the set norms.
