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Sir, the industry is a small scale red category unit and was granted consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 dated 19/07/2019 upto 30/06/2024.
Earlier, a complaint was received against the industry regarding illegal discharge of effluent into sewer.
Accordingly, to verify the facts of the complaint at the site, the industry was visited by officer of the Board on 31.10.2023 and it was observed that the industry was in operation and engaged in the process of wire drawing. During visit, it was observed that the industry has provided a bye-pass arrangement for discharge of untreated effluent/ spent acid directly into sewer. It could not show any bills of acid purchase for last few months due to which it is apprehended that the industry is using HCL for picking process.
Accordingly, the consent under the Water Act, 1974 has been revoked and the industry was issued notice to issue directions u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 with hearing before Chairman of the Board on 12.01.2024, wherein it was decided as under: 1. The industry shall get the trade effluent lifted to re-processor regularly. 2. The industry shall maintain the record of water consumption in the process and trade effluent got lifted to re-processor. 3. The industry shall submit Bank Guarantee of Rs. 3.0 lac as an assurance to comply with provisions of the Water Act, 1974, within 07 days. 4. The industry shall apply for obtaining consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974, within 07 days. 5. Environmental Engineer Regional Office shall visit the industry to verify the submission of the industry and submit recommendations in the matter.
A complaint was again received against the industry on 09.05.2024 stating that the industry is engaged in pickling process and is discharging effluent into sewer. Further, the industry is using HCL instead of sulphuric acid and is generating acidic fumes during pickling process.
In compliance the industry was visited by RO on 24.05.2024 and it was observed as under :- 1. The industry was in operation and is engaged in the process of wire drawing. 2. The industry has installed water meter in the process area. 3. The industry has made an agreement made with M/s JBR Technology Pvt. Ltd., Ludhiana of quantity 6000 Ltr/month for disposal of spent acid to re-processors. No bye-pass arrangement was observed during visit. 4. The industry has now made new agreement @ 6000 Ltr/month for lifting of effluent (spent HCL) generated from acid pickling process. 5. The industry is maintaining the record of fresh water consumed in process area and effluent lifted to re-processor but the same is not maintained properly. 6. The industry has failed to apply for consent under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 till date. 7. The industry is generating acidic fumes during pickling process and has not taken any pollution control measures for same. The industry is operating without valid consent under Air Act, 1981. 8. The industry has submitted bank guarantee of Rs. 3.0 Lacs in the office which is valid upto 30.01.2025.
Accordingly, the case was considered by the Competent Authority of the Board and directions u/s 33-A of Water Act, 1974 were issued to the industry for disconnection of electric supply vide letter no. 3254-55 dated 06.06.2024.
Now, the industry has applied for varied consent to operate under Water Act, 1974.
The site of industry was visited by RO on 14.06.2023 and it was reported as under:- 1. The industry was not in operation during visit 2. The industry has now made new agreement @ 6000 Ltr/month for lifting of effluent (spent HCL) generated from acid pickling process. 3. The industry has already installed water meter at pipeline from where fresh water is consumed in process. 4. The industry is now maintaining the record of fresh water consumed in process area and trade effluent lifted to CETP operator once it comes in operation. 5. The industry has already submitted bank guarantee of Rs. 3.0 Lacs in the office which is valid upto 30.01.2025. 6. The industry has made extension in the overhead shed so that the fumes do not escape into the atmosphere. 7. The industry is discharging only domestic effluent into sewer.
RO further reported that the connection of the industry has been disconnected by PSPCL authorities vide TDCO number 195/1016 dated 19.06.2024. The industry was visited on 20.06.2024 by officer of the Board and it was observed that the electric connection of the industry is lying disconnected.
In view of the above, it is recommended as under:-
1. Consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 may be considered for granted for a short period of six months with special condition that the industry shall maintain regular record of water consumption viz-a-viz effluent lifting and submit copy of the same 5th of every month to Regional Office.
2. Directions u/s 33-A of Water Act, 1974 may be issued for restoration of the electric supply of the industry for six months with condition as proposed by RO.
(Category - Red, small) (Competency lies with SEE for deciding consent case and for notice/ directions u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, competency lies with CEE Ludhiana)
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