| File Note: |
It is submitted the industry is a small scale red category ferrous sulphate manufacturing unit. The industry was granted consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Renewal/LDH2/2021/14882363 dated 10/06/2021 valid upto 30/06/2023 and under Air Act, 1981 vide no. CTOA/Renewal/LDH2/2021/ 14882520 dated 10/06/2021 valid upto 30/06/2023. The industry was granted ‘Consent to Operate’ under Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 through auto renewal mode and are valid upto 06.02.2029. The industry had also obtained authorization under Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016 through auto renewal system upto 03.05.2026.
Thereafter, the industry was again visited by officers of the Board on 26.04.2023 and 19.06.2024. During the above visits, industry found non-complying with the provisions under Water Act, 1974, Air Act, 1981 and HWM Rules, 2016. Accordingly, the industry was issued show cause notice for revocation of consent to operate under Water Act, 1974, Air Act, 1981 and authorization under the Hazardous and other Waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 with hearing before the Senior Environmental Engineer of the Board on 11.07.2024. But, no one from the industry attended the hearing and not submitted any reply. Accordingly, the consent to operate granted under the Water Act, 1974, Air Act, 1981 and authorization under the HWM Rules, 2016 were revoked.
Thereafter, the industry was issued notice to issue directions u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of the Air Act, 1981 alongwith notice to issue directions u/s 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with hearing before Chairman of the Board on 18.09.2024 and after hearing it was decided as under :-
1. The facility shall submit the details of agreements made by the facility, if any, viz-a-viz spent acid lifted in last one year.
2. The facility shall inform in writing to the Regional office of the Board before re-starting the facility and shall obtain prior consents/ authorization of the Board.
3. The facility shall not operate the facility without obtaining valid consents / authorization of the Board.
4. The Environmental Engineer, Regional office-2, Ludhiana shall verify submission made by the facility, process consents / authorization applications on merits and submit report alongwith recommendations, within 15 days.
To check the compliance, the industry was visited by AEE (OS) of this office on 03.01.2025 and it was observed that the industry was not in operation and it is engaged in cleaning process. As per the representative, the industry has not made any agreement with any facility viz-a-viz spent acid to be lifted and failed to furnish any record pertaining to the same. The industry was found storing the raw material outside the premises of the industry and possibility of water contamination from the same cannot be ruled out.
Accordingly, the detailed report sent to Zonal Office on 10.01.2025 and accordingly, the competent authority of the Board has directed RO to clarify when will the industry is likely to restart the facility.
Thereafter, the industry was again visited by JEE of this office on 02.07.2025 and it was observed that at the time of the visit, the industry was closed and locked. No raw materials were discovered to be stored outside. At the same time, the representative informed that they had applied for a loan and would shortly resume operations and seek approval from the Board. He stated that his only business at the moment is trading.
In order to verify the facts and check the operational schedule of the industry, officer of this office has again visited the site of industry on 22.08.2025 and it was observed that:-
1. At the time of the visit, the industry was closed and locked from the main gate
2. No raw materials were stored outside.
3. At the same time, the visiting officer made phone call to the industry representative on mob. No. 9218055868 to inquire about the industry's operational status. The representative responded that they are not engaged in any kind of manufacturing process and is engaged only in trading of chemicals like lime, poly and other chemicals used in waste water treatment at some other location. Incase if it resumes the operations the industry would obtain consent from the Board.
Accordingly, the detailed report sent to Zonal Office on 25.08.2025.
Now, the industry has applied for fresh consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 alongwith requisite documents. The industry has already deposited Rs. 5500/- vide e-R No. N031242856856201 dated 31.01.2024 under Water Act, 1974 & Rs. 5500/- vide e-R No. N031242856861935 dated 31.01.2024 under Air Act, 1981 against the un-depreciated fixed assets of Rs. 4.78 Lacs as on 31.03.2025, which is adequate upto 30/06/2027 under Water Act, 1974, as per Board's Office Order dated 29/10/2018 after deducting 200% penalty fee.
Accordingly, the industry was visited by the AEE of this office on 29.12.2025 During the visit, it was observed as under:-
1. The industry was not in operation.
2. As per the representative, they have not yet made any agreement with any facility viz-a-viz spent acid to be lifted. Agreements will be made after obtaining consent to operate from the Board.
3. Domestic effluent is discharged onto land for plantation through septic tank.
4. The industry has provided 3 no. FRP lining tanks of dimension 35’ x 15’ x 3.5’ each & and 1 no. FRP lined tank of dimension 25’ x 10’ x 4’.
5. The industry has provided one hazardous waste room with danger sign Board.
6. It has provided 1 no. Hydraulic sludge press machine for manufacturing of ferrous sulphate.
7. The industry has installed one reactor with crown pinion gear agitator for mixing of raw material in the reactor and wet scrubber as APCD to arrest the fumes.
8. The industry has not installed any D.G set in its premises.
It is therefore recommended that consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 & Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be granted for one year with suitable conditions for not to operate its unit without obtaining Actual User Certificate.
(Competency – Senior Environmental Engineer).
Cost of plant and machinery of Rs 4.78 Lacs
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