| File Note: |
• The kiln was granted consent to operate under the Air Act, 1981, based on natural draft technology vide no. R14BTICTOA1635409 dt. 26.08.2014, with validity upto 30.09.2018, for operation of brick kiln to manufacture bricks & tiles @ 20,000 nos./day with natural draft technology to manufacture bricks & tiles, subject to the conditions mentioned therein.
• Earlier, the industry had applied for varied consent to operate under the Air Act, 1981 and fresh consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 under orange category as per the prevailing policy after converting the brick kiln on zig-zag technology to manufacture bricks & tiles @ 20,000 nos./day, which was examined and found that details given in the coal register, the industry has operated the kiln in the Month of March & April, 2019 and again in the month of January, 2020 & February, 2020 but obtained the completion certificate on 01.03.2021, hence, the balance EC was required to be deposited by the BKO. Accordingly, show cause notice refusal of consents to operate under the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 with personal hearing before the Environmental Engineer, Regional Office, Bathinda on dated 08.05.2023 was issued to the BKO, which was not attended by the representative of the BKO and informed verbally that his mother expired, due to that he could not attend the hearing. As such the application of the brick kiln was returned back being incomplete.
• Now, the industry has again applied for varied consent to operate under the Air Act, 1981 and fresh consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 under orange category as per the prevailing policy after converting the brick kiln on zig-zag technology to manufacture bricks & tiles @ 20,000 nos./day. The Brick kiln has submitted completion certificate dt. 01.03.2021 from CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee to the effect that the kiln has constructed high draft brick kiln with Zigzag technology, rectangular in shape as per the CSIR-CBRI design.
• After scrutinizing the application, a clarification has been raised to deposit the EC for the full period i.e., from Month of March & April, 2019 and month of January 2020 & February 2020 within 3 days. However, in reply to the clarification the BKO has submitted an undertaking in which they state that Sh. Manoj Singla, President of the firm has purchased the brick kiln in January 2021 and the brick kiln was not in operation in the year 2019 & 2020. However, the coal register previously submitted by the brick kiln was of another firm which is not related to the firm M/s Shweta Gram Udyog Samiti and was attached by mistake. However, the brick kiln has not submitted any revised coal register.
• The kiln has deposited consent fee of Rs. 34,100/- through online vide R.no. 987920571 dated 17.03.2023 (Rs. 15,400/- Under Water Act, Rs. 15,400/- under Air Act & Rs. 3300/- as penalty) under Air Act, 1981 and Water Act, 1974, which is adequate upto 30.09.2031 against the fixed asset of Rs. 8.95 lac as per the C.A. certificate.
• As per the coal register earlier submitted by the brick kiln as proof of actual operation of the brick kiln without adopting induced draught zig-zag technology from the period Month of March & April, 2019 and again in the month of January, 2020 & February, 2020, but obtained the completion certificate on 01.03.2021, hence, the BKO was required to deposit EC from February, 2019 till 0103.2021 i.e. 20,000/- X 25 months (5 lac rupees). However, the BKO has deposited EC @ Rs. 20,000/- for operation of brick kiln from 04.03.2019 to 05.04.2019.
• The brick kiln was visited by the AEE of this office on 23.04.2024 and it was observed as under:
1. The kiln was in operation during visit.
2. Coal as a fuel was completely used in operation of kiln and no pallets were used.
3. The kiln has provided a ladder and a plat form with the stack for collection of emission sample.
4. The kiln has stabilized the periphery road / movement area.
5. The kiln has provided adequate plantation all along its boundary.
6. The industry does not generate any trade effluent and domestic effluent is discharged onto land for plantation after treatment in septic tank.
• The kiln is complying with the code of practice prescribed by the Board for the brick kin in the state and directions issued by Govt. / PPCB from time to time.
• The kiln is also complying with the recommendations given by the CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee in the feasibility report for adopting operating practice as well as fuel feeding practice. The industry is also complying with the provision of Water Act, 1974, except for usage of paddy straw pallets and deposition of EC.
• Keeping in view of above, it is re-commended that case may be sent to competent authority for issuance of Show Cause Notice in the matter.
Competency to decide the case - Environmental Engineer
Competency to decide the EC - Hon'ble Chairman of the Board |
