| File Note: |
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in; text-align: justify;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">Subject:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Proceedings of the personal hearing given to M/s APS Industries, Land 8 Bigha, Vill. Behra, Opp. Federal Agro, Tehsil Dera Bassi, Distt. SAS Nagar (Mohali) for refusal of renewal of consent to operate granted under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 before the Senior Environmental Engineer (P) of the Board on 11/1/2024</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in; text-align: justify;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; background: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">The following were present: </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; background: white; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">From Board's side: </span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; background: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">1)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Er. Rajeev Gupta, Environmental Engineer (ZP-1)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; background: white; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">From Industry side: </span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; background: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">Sh. G.D. Sharma, Partner </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; background: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The officers of the Board brought out that t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">he </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">industry is a small scale red category unit and was granted consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Varied/SAS/ 2022/20336828 dated 5/12/2022 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide no. CTOA/Varied/SAS/2022/20336731 dated 22/11/2022, valid upto 30/9/2023 for manufacturing of Wire (Existing) @ 5 MTD, Wire (Additional) @ 5 MTD, Threaded Rods (Existing) @ 2 MTD, Threaded Rods (New) @ 2 MTD, Anchor Fastener (Existing) @ 4 MTD, Miscellaneous Custom Made Items @ 1 MTD, Plating Job Work (Additional) @ 20 MTD with subject to suitable conditions mentioned therein.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">The industry has applied for obtaining renewal of consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 with same production capacity along with requisite documents. The industry was visited by officer of the Board on 22/12/2023 and it was observed as under:</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">1) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The industry was in operation during the visit and the engaged in manufacturing of thread bars etc.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">2) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The industry has installed pickling section for pickling of wire rod in which H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> acid is used. However no separate water meter has been provided in the area. Further, the industry has not made agreement with re-processor of spent acid for lifting of the same.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">3) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Earlier, the industry had installed one automatic zinc plating section & the same was in operation during visit. However, the wet scrubber provided on this section was not in operation, as the motor was found not working.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">4) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The industry is in process of installation of another automatic zinc plating plant, but the industry has not obtained prior NOC/ CTE from the Board.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">5) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The industry separates the stream from the plating section into HTDS stream and LTDS stream. The HTDS stream is being lifted by M/s JBR Technologies Ltd. and as per record only 10000 ltr of HTDS effluent has been lifted to the CETP operator.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">6) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The LTDS effluent is being treated in the ETP provided by the industry and as per record about 54 KL of LTDS effluent has been treated in the ETP since 01.10.2023.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">7) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ETP was not in operation during the visit due to less availability of effluent. However, it was observed that the components of the ETP are very old and rusted & needs renovation/ upgradation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">8) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The treated effluent is being discharged onto land for plantation and the plantation area was checked & the same was found full of ETP Sludge, it shows that the ETP is not working satisfactorily.<strong> </strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">9) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The sludge handling of the industry is very poor and lots of ETP Sludge in haphazard manner was found stored in the hazardous waste area. No record of sludge is being maintained.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">10) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>About 70-80 employees working in the industry and the industry is required to provide STP to treat its domestic effluent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">The treatment arrangements made by the industry are not adequate as the industry has not adopted ZLD technology. Also the sludge deposition in the plantation area besides other short comings shows that treatment arrangement currently provided by the industry are not working satisfactorily/ adequate.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The industry is not complying with the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as well as has not complied with the conditions mentioned in the consent to operate earlier granted to it under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, willfully causing pollution in the vicinity, thus, violating the provisions of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 intentionally and deliberately. It was proposed to refuse the consent to operate applied under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, after affording an opportunity of show cause-cum-personal hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0.7pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Therefore, the industry was served show cause notice </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; background: white;">for refusal of renewal of consent to operate applied under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 alongwith an opportunity of personal hearing vide Board's letter no. 9791-92 dated 29/12/2023 before the Senior Environmental Engineer (P) of the Board on 10/1/2024. The said hearing has been postponed to 11/1/2024 to due to administrative reasons. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">The representative of the industry attended the hearing and submitted written reply, which was taken on record. He informed that all the observations have been complied with earlier made by the visiting team. The ETP is operated regularly and efficiently. Also, R.O has been installed by the industry. The high TDS effluent is being sent to M/s JBR Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Ludhiana regularly and records are also being maintained in this regard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">After hearing the representative of the industry and officer of the Board, the Senior Environmental Engineer (ZP-1) of the Board decided that:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The industry shall deposit bank guarantee amounting to Rs. 50,000/- as an assurance to comply with pollution control laws for all the times. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, SAS Nagar shall visit the industry immediately to verify the contentions of the industry given by the industry during hearing and thereafter send the report alongwith recommendations.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Further, action w.r.t consent application of the industry shall be taken on the receipt of the report from Regional Office, SAS Nagar. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">If approved, proceedings of the personal hearing as above may be conveyed to the industry and Environmental Engineer, PPCB, RO, SAS Nagar for compliance and sending the report, respectively.</span></p> |
