| File Note: |
Kindly peruse the note of AEE dated 15.01.2026………..
• It is submitted that the industry is R-17 category large scale unit engaged in manufacturing of grain-based ethanol @ 300 KLD by using rice @ 672 MTD and Maize @ 720 MTD. The industry also produces 2 no. of byproducts i.e., DDGS @ 252 MTD and CO2 @ 228 MTD……………
• The industry was earlier granted consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 on 13.11.2025 and Air Act, 1981 on 14.11.2025, both valid upto 31.03.2026 with certain conditions mentioned therein………………..
• Now, the industry has applied for renewal of consents to operate under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 through OCMMS on 24.12.2025 for grain-based ethanol plant @ 300 KLD by using Raw material of Rice @ 672 MTD and Maize @ 720 MTD…………..
• The industry has deposited the consent fee under Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981, which is adequate upto 31.03.2028……….
• The PP has earlier proposed to establish the unit in an area of 23 acres out of which plant area is 15.1 acre and rest i.e., 7.9 acres green belt. Accordingly, the industry had developed plantation in 7.9 acres……………………..
• The industry has submitted copy of environmental clearance granted to it by Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Impact Assessment Division) vide no. EC22A060PB188235 dated 24.03.2022 for the proposed project…………………
• The industry has submitted compliance report of EC granted to the industry and the special conditions being imposed at time of granting consents, in annotated form. The industry has also submitted copy of the transfer of EC in the new name i.e. HMEL Organics Private Limited, Village Phulokhari, Taluka Talwandi Saboo vide no. :IA-J-11011/20/2022-IA-II(I) dated 10.11.2023…………….
• The industry is sourcing fresh water from the raw water reservoirs of its existing sister unit, M/s HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (Guru Gobind Singh Refinery). The total storage capacity of the refinery’s raw water reservoirs is 24 lakh KL, which is adequate to meet the water requirement of the refinery and petrochemical complex along with the ethanol plant for a period of approximately 15 days.……………..
• The industry has laid a dedicated pipeline for conveying the effluent generated from the unit to the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) of the refinery section for treatment……………...
• The unit is utilizing steam and power from the existing facilities of M/s HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (Guru Gobind Singh Refinery). Accordingly, no separate air pollution sources are stated to be generated from the unit, and therefore, no Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) or CCTV systems have been installed……………………..
• It is further submitted that the effluent and emission samples of the sister unit (HMEL Refinery) were conducted on 16.10.2025 & 17.10.2025, wherein concentration of PM in 09 stacks was found beyond the permissible limits. Moreover, the sampling fees around 17.6 lacs of the sister unit have been pending since 2021. Now, the industry has submitted around 4.20 Lacs dated 13.01.2026…………..
• To check the compliance, the industry was visited by Er. Daljit Singh, EE & Er. Harman Singh, AEE, of RO, Bathinda on 31.12.2025 and observed as under:
1. The industry was in operation during visit……………….
2. The industry is taking fresh water from its sister concerned unit i.e., M/s HMEL (Guru Gobind Singh Refinery) through pipeline. However, the industry is not maintaining any record of fresh water consumption in the premises…………….
3. The representative failed to show any treatment facility / arrangements provided for treatment of domestic effluent………………..
4. The industry has provided one room for storage of hazardous wastes, however during visit, no hazardous waste found stored in the room. The empty containers of chemicals (hazardous wastes of category 33.1) were lying stored near the ETP / CPU plant……………….
5. The industry is taking steam & power from its sister concerned unit i.e. M/s HMEL (Guru Gobind Singh Refinery), hence, no boiler has been installed in the premises………………..
6. The industry has installed DG set of capacity 750 KVA equipped with canopy of adequate stack height……………..
7. The industry was earlier granted consents to operate under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 with special condition that the industry shall install solar plant of adequate capacity by 31.03.2026, in compliance of environmental clearance. However, the industry has not yet started installation of solar plant……………
8. The industry was earlier granted consents to operate under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 with special condition that the industry shall complete plantation in 33% area by 20.12.2025. During visit, the representative shown some fresh plantation. The representative assured to submit layout plan showing total area of the unit including 33% plantation area, within 2 days. But the industry has not submitted layout plan showing plantation in 33% area of total land of the industry………………..
• RO has reported that the industry is not complying with the provisions of Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 and recommended for refusal of CTOs under the Water Act, 1974 the Air Act, 1981.
• It is pertinent to mention here that the subject cited industry was earlier visited by Er. Ravinder Bhatti, SEE, ZOB; Er. Vicky Bansal, EE, ZOB & Er. Sahil Goyal, AEE, RO, Sri Muktsar Sahib on 09.12.2025 and almost same violations were observed. The report has already sent to the Higher Authority vide e-noting no. 30678333………………
Keeping in view of above and recommendations of RO, if approved, the industry may be issued show cause notice for refusal of consents to operate under the Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 alongwith an opportunity of personal hearing before the worthy Chairperson of the Board, please.
Competency: Hon'ble Chairperson (R-17)
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