| File Note: |
Detailed note attached.
It is submitted that earlier the industry was granted consent to operate under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Fresh/SAS/2021/14484484 dated 23.02.2021 valid upto 22.02.2022 and under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide no. CTOA/Renewal/SAS/2021/14484488 dated 23.02.2021 valid upto 22.02.2022 for the manufacturing of Brick & Tiles @ 29,000 Numbers/Day, subject to certain terms and conditions mentioned therein.
The industry failed to obtain further consent to operate under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The site of the unit was surprisingly visited by undersigned on 21.12.2023. During visit, it was observed as under:
1. The brick kiln was in operation during visit.
2. The brick kiln has provided induced draft technology.
3. The brick kiln is stacking the in zig-zag manner for baking.
4. The brick kiln has not covered movement area with brick bats.
5. The industry is using illegal fuel. The industry has stored ~ 0.35 T rubber for burning purpose in the brick kiln as a fuel.
The industry is not complying with code of practice laid down for such type of units. The industry was found not complying with the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, intentionally and deliberately. The above report conveyed to the Competent Authority of the Board through E-noting no. 24518041.
Accordingly, the industry was issued notice to issue directions u/s 31-A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide Board's letter no. 10145-46 dated 12.01.2024 alongwith an opportunity of personal hearing before CEE (P) of the Board on 22.01.2024.
The industry was given personal hearing before the Chief Environmental Engineer (P) of the Board on 22.01.2024, wherein, it was decided as under:
1) The proposed directions u/s 31-A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 shall be confirmed to the industry for its closure.
2) Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, SAS Nagar shall ensure the compliance of the directions as well as keep strict watch on the activities on the brick kiln that the unit shall not be operated under any circumstances.
The industry was also issued directions u/s 31-A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and same is reproduced as under:
1) That the brick kiln shall take all necessary steps to close down its operations and stop forthwith discharging any emissions from its plant or through any mode.
2) That the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. authorities shall be directed to disconnect the supply of electricity available to the brick kiln.
3) That the District Food & Civil Supplies Controller, SAS Nagar shall be directed to cancel the license of the brick kiln.
Now, the industry has applied for fresh consent to operate under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for manufacturing of Brick & Tiles @ 29,000 Numbers/Day alongwith requisite documents. (Application received on 15.04.2024, Scrutiny carried out on 16.04.2024 (Clarification raised) & Scrutiny completed on 19.04.2024)
The industry had deposited Rs. 20300/- vide UTR no. N316201305683271 dated 11.11.2020 on account of consent fees under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Rs. 3400/- vide UTR no. N316201305698522 dated 11.11.2020 and Rs. 36300/- vide UTR no. N316201305699443 dated 11.11.2020 under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The industry has now deposited Rs. 5000/- vide R. No. 779795690 dated 18.04.2024 under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Rs. 5000/- vide R. no. 69771279 dated 18.04.2024 under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The consent fees deposited under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is adequate upto 30.09.2025 against the total cost of the project Rs. 40.45 lacs.
The industry has submitted compliance report of the conditions of the previous granted consent to operate under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The industry has submitted a copy of certificate issued by M/s Punjab State Council for Science & Technology vide no. PSCST/CC/2089 dated 26.03.2019 regarding issuance of feasibility reports & provisional certificate for induced draft brick kiln.
The industry has submitted a copy of certificate issued by M/s Punjab State Council for Science & Technology vide no. PSCST/CC/2090 dated 26.03.2019 for provisional certificate.
The site of the brick kiln was visited by the undersigned on 22.03.2024. During the visit, it was observed as under:
1. The brick kiln was not in operation during visit. The representative informed that the brick kiln is not being operated for the past 2 months.
2. The brick kiln has provided induced draft technology.
3. The brick kiln has now covered movement area with brick bats.
4. During visit, no illegal fuel was found stored in the premises of the industry. The representative informed that the rubber waste which was earlier observed by the visiting officer, has been returned back to the supplier as the same was sent by the supplier as sample for using in brick kiln. However, they never used the said rubber waste in the brick kiln.
5. Further, in compliance to the directions issued by the Board, the PSPCL authority has disconnected the electricity connection available with the industry vide T.D.C.O. no. SA/SP91/0090-F dated 07.03.2024.
In view of the above, may if approved, it is recommended that:
A. Directions issued u/s 31-A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may please be dropped.
B. Consent to operate under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be granted upto 30.09.2025 subject to suitable conditions and the following additional conditions that:
1. The Brick kiln shall never use, store any illegal fuel in its brick kiln.
2. The brick kiln shall replace atleast 20 % coal with paddy straw pellets in its brick kiln from 01.05.2023, in compliance to the notification issued by Government of Punjab, Department of Science, Technology & Environment vide no. 10/574/2022-STE1/443 dated 04.11.2022.
3. The brick kiln shall ensure that no nuisance / black smoke is emitted by the stack of brick kiln at any time.
4. If the brick kiln violates any of the above 3 conditions, legal action under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 will be initiated against the brick kiln without affording any opportunity.
Competency: Worthy Chairman (As per directions)
(Deemed approval: 25.04.2024) |
