| File Note: |
<p style="text-align: justify;">The agenda note and report / recommendations of AEE/EE, RO, may kindly be perused.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It is submitted that the CETP is a medium scale red category CETP for treatment of trade effluent generated by the electroplating and allied industries. The CETP Operator was granted consent to operate under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide no. CTOA/Renewal/LDH4/2019/10762938 dated 03/10/2019, upto 30/06/2024 and under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Renewal/LDH4/2022/16981292 dated 29/08/2022, upto 28/02/2023 with certain conditions.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The CETP operator was granted authorization under Hazardous & Other Wastes (Management & Trans-boundary Movement) Rules, 2016 vide no. HWM/LDH/CETP/2016-21/R-001 dated 17/06/2016, which was expired on 16/06/2021 with certain conditions.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, the CETP was imposed Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs. 1,05,15,000/- vide Board order no. 59 dated 17.07.2021 and was also imposed BG of Rs. 10 Lac. The CETP operator has failed to submit bank guarantee of Rs. 10.00 Lacs, till date.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The CETP operator has filed a appeal against the Board in Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh vide CWP No. 15962 of 2021 for quashing of proceeding dated 19.10.2020 and decision dated 16.07.2021 and EC order dated 17.07.2021. The petitioner was heard in the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh on 19.08.2021 and the following order were passed by the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Keeping the concept of parity in mind, it is ordered that in case the petitioner deposits 50% of the compensation required to be deposited as per the impugned order. Further steps for recovery shall remain stayed."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The operator has not submitted the Environmental Compensation to the Board till date, in compliance of the order dated 17.07.2021 or in pursuance of the order of the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh dated 19.08.2021.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The reply in the court case has already been filed in the Hon'ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. The case is now fixed for 18.05.2023.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, the CETP Operator has applied for obtaining Consent to Establish (NOC for expansion) for increasing the capacity from 500 KLD to 800 KLD through OCMMS on 12.07.2022 and same was returned on 21.11.2022 due to reasons as below:-</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">”That consent to establish (CTE) for expansion of CETP shall be applied by the SPV i.e. Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Plant (LETS) which is the overall custodian of the CETP. The consent to establish cannot be given in the hands of M/s JBR Technologies Pvt. Ltd who is mere operator of the said CETP."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Thereafter, the Secretary-cum-Director of Industries, Department of Industries & Commerce had written a letter to the Board vide letter no. DIC/Tech/CETPs-LDH/5988-B dated 16.12.2022, the relevant content of the letter is as under:-</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">2. In this context, it is submitted that upon considering the necessity for up-gradation of treatment capacity of the existing Common Effluent Treatment Plant for Electroplating industry at Plot No. D-260-61, Phase-VIII, Focal Point, Ludhiana approval was accorded to M/s JBR Technologies Limited for up-gradation of treatment capacity of the CETP from 500 KL to 800 KL with the condition that:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> i The require consent to operate is to be obtained by the operator from Punjab Pollution Control Board in due course of time.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> ii. The outlet parameters are to be achieved as per the prescribed norms of PPCB and CPCB from time to time.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> iii. The operator shall be responsible to obtain all the mandatory regulatory clearances from the concerned Departments.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">3. Accordingly, M/s JBR Technologies Limited applied online to PPCB vide application OCMMS application no. 19073444 dated 12.07.2022. The application of the operator has been returned with the condition that Custodian Department of CETP and SPV-Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Society for Electroplating may apply for expansion of CETP so that same may be processed for necessary action.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">4. The existing CETP for electroplating which is operation since December, 2007 as per the Tripartite Agreement executed on 25.06.2007 between the Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation Ltd, Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Society for Electroplating Industries and with the operator – M/s JBR Technology Pvt. Ltd.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">5. Upon increasing the trade effluent of electroplating industry in the State, the capacity of CETP were increase from time to time. First the capacity was increased during the year 2012 from 200 KLD to 300 KLD. Second time it was increased during the year 2015 from 300 KLD to 500 KLD. Recently on 17.03.2021, approval has been given to the operator for increasing the capacity of the CETP from 500 KLD to 800 KLD.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">6. It is pertinent to mention here that recently the PPCB has granted consent to operate to M/s JBR Technologies operator of the CETP vide certificate no. CTOW/Renewal/LDH4/2022/16981292 dated 29.08.2022 and similarly to the operator of the CETP Chanalon, Kharar, SAS Nagar.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">7. The NOC/CTO for the establishment of the new CETP's in Punjab has been issued by PPCB in favor of the concerned SPV's where all the expenditures for setting up the plant are borne by SPV and not by the operator whereas in our case the operator M/s JBR Technologies Ltd as per the Tripartite Agreement has incurred all the expenditures for putting the CETP in operation for treatment of trade effluent of electroplating industries. Presently, for upgradation of the capacity of the existing CETP from 500 KLD to 800 KLD all the expenditure being incurred by the JBR Technologies Pvt. Ltd.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">You are therefore, requested to consider the application of M/s JBR Technologies Limited, operator of Common Effluent Treatment Plant for electroplating at Plot No. D-260-61, Phase-VIII, Focal Point, Ludhiana for grant of CTO/CTE/NOC for enhancement of treatment capacity of existing CETP from 500 KLD to 800 KLD.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The CETP Operator has again applied for obtaining Consent to Establish (NOC for expansion) under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for increasing the capacity from 500 KLD to 800 KLD through OCMMS on 17.12.2022 in light of the Tripartite Agreement executed on 25.06.2007 between the Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation Ltd (PSIEC), Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Society (LETS) for Electroplating Industries and with the operator – M/s JBR Technology Pvt. Ltd. (CETP operator). The CETP operator has submitted Rs. 21,600/- as NOC regularization fee, however, same has not yet verified with the OCMMS.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As per the proposal, the CETP operator will enhance the capacity of CETP from 500 KLD to 800 KLD. The details of the expansion of various components of ETP as per the representation dated 21.12.2022 is attached as pdf file. The major components to be added in the existing CETP are 1 collection tank, 3 reaction tanks, 2 RO system (20 membrane each), replacing of existing MEE with new MEE. The CETP has proposed 2 utilize treated effluent for plantation and gardening along the National Highway 95, supply to Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana and in M/s Vardhman Special Steel. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The CETP was visited by AEE of RO on 09.12.2022 and it was observed as under: -</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">1. The CETP was in operation during the visit.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">2. The CETP Operator has not yet started any construction activity for the proposed project.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">3. As per the proposal, the CETP operator will enhance the capacity of ETP. The details of the expansion of various components of ETP as per the representation dated 21.12.2022 is attached as pdf file.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">4. Further, the CETP operator has not proposed any additional storage area for increased hazardous waste which will be generated after expansion.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">5. The treated effluent samples of CETP are collected on regular monthly basis and are found to be within prescribed limits of the Board. The details of results are already attached.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">6. The CETP operator is not giving its treated effluent to the dyeing industries for utilization. The treated effluent of the CETP (RO permeate) is being supplied to NHAI for the irrigation of plantation provided alongwith the National Highway-05 i.e. Ludhiana to Chandigarh Highway upto Toll Barrier Samrala (26 Kilometers) and to Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana for sprinkling and gardening.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As per MoEF notification dated 19.12.2018 regarding requirement of EC to the CETP (copy attached), the relevant part is reproduced as under:-</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Environmental clearance for CETPs setup for or within projects or activities which do not require environmental clearance are exempted, and if any of the existing or proposed member units of the said CETP produces or proposes to produce any product requiring environmental clearance, then the CETP shall need environmental clearance.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In light of above notification, it is submitted that the electroplating process is not covered under the preview of Environmental Clearance (EC). As such, CETP electroplating does not required Environmental Clearance for its expansion.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In view of above, may if approved, the application for consent to Establish (NOC for expansion) under the Water Act, 1974 and under the Air Act, 1981 may be considered for grant for one year after considering the issue of non-submission of Environmental Compensation and Bank Guarantee by the CETP and utilization of treated effluent.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><!-- [if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->CETP operator shall explore the possibilities to utilize its entire treated wastewater for construction/sprinkling/dust suppression/onto land for plantation inside and surrounding areas of Focal Point and submit the proposal.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><!-- [if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->The CETP shall be directed to dispose of its sludge to TSDF Nimbua on regular basis.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><!-- [if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->The CETP operator shall install EMF meters in compliance decisions of the hearing dated 11.09.2020 at all the components of the CETP.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><!-- [if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->The CETP operator shall install SCADA system in the process after secondary tube settler, RO feed, RO reject and final outlet.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><!-- [if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->The CETP operator shall ensure that after expansion, the CETP operator shall not discharge treated/ untreated wastewater into sewer under any circumstances. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Competency : Hon’ble Chairman of the Board.</p> |
