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The above note dated 11.03.2026 of the u/s may kindly be perused……………..It is submitted that, a show cause notice for refusal of consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was issued to the industry with an opportunity to show cause in writing within a period of 15 days, from the date of issue of the said notice.
Now the industry vide its letters dated 20.03.2026 and 27.03.2026 has submitted a written reply w.r.t the issued show cause notice, and has submitted that:
1. The unit was not operational at the time of inspection due to lack of work. The presence of recently dyed yarn was from earlier limited operations carried out when orders were available. The unit will not operate till we get valid Air and Water CTO from the Board.
2. There was no stagnation in the plantation area. It appears that the observation may have been made due to temporary water presence, which is regularly managed and does not persist.
3. We firmly state that no additional dyeing machinery has been installed by the industry. The machines present at the site are the same as have been in operation for several years. It has already been clarified to the Board in previous submissions that different colors are processed in different machines; therefore, the number of machines does not imply full-capacity operation. The production remains much below the maximum installed capacity.
4. The industry has installed 8 soft flow machines of capacity (1 x 150 Kg), (2 x 250 Kg), (4 x 300 Kg) and (1 x 450 Kg) having total 23 chambers out of which 01 soft flow machine of capacity (1 x 250 kg) with 3 chambers is already sealed by the board and 20 Cabinet Machines of capacity (7 x 30 kg), (9 x 60 kg), (2 x 90 kg) and (2 x 120 kg) out of which 03 cabinet machines of (1 x 30 kg and 2 x 60 kg) capacity are already sealed by the Board and (1 x 30 kg) cabinet machine is in dismantled condition.
5. With respect to the excess discharge of 70 KLD, Board can seal our one soft flow machine of capacity 300 Kg with 3 chambers.
6. The Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was not in operation as the unit itself was closed at the time of inspection. However, the ETP is fully functional and is operated whenever the production activities are carried out.
7. The boiler and APCD systems are installed and maintained as per norms.
8. Flow meters have been duly installed at the freshwater inlet and ETP outlet. Due to the absence of the owners/authorized personnel at the time of inspection, the records could not be presented. However, we maintain these records properly and are ready to produce them for verification at any time.
9. Regarding the Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs. 6,30,000/- imposed vide order dated 18-09-2025, we respectfully submit that the industry is presently under severe financial stress and is incurring continuous losses. Therefore, we are not in a position to deposit the said amount at this stage and request kind consideration and relief in this matter.
10. We assure you that our industry is committed to comply with all environmental norms and regulations.
In order to verify the contentions made by the industry, the unit was visited by Er. Bhupinder Kumar, AEE on 31.03.2026 and observed as under:
1. During the visit unit was not in operation, the representative of the unit during this visit informed that they will only operate the unit after getting valid Air/Water CTOs from the Board.
2. No stagnation was observed in the plantation area, and all the plantation area was found almost dry during the visit.
3. The industry has installed 8 soft flow machines of capacity (1 x 150 Kg), (2 x 250 Kg), (4 x 300 Kg) and (1 x 450 Kg) having total 23 chambers out of which 01 soft flow machine of capacity (1 x 250 kg) with 3 chambers was found sealed and 20 Cabinet Machines of capacity (7 x 30 kg), (9 x 60 kg), (2 x 90 kg) and (2 x 120 kg) out of which 03 cabinet machines of (1 x 30 kg and 2 x 60 kg) capacity were found sealed and (1 x 30 kg) cabinet machine was in dismantled condition.
4. The representative of the industry again requested to seal the excess machinery in order to ensure that the trade effluent discharge remains within 120 KLD, in accordance with the plantation area available to them.
5. The industry has installed an ETP of 360 KLD capacity consisting of collection tank, chemical dozing, flocculator, 02 tube settlers, filters, outlet for the treatment of effluent generated from the dyeing process and disposal of the same onto the land of plantation provided inside the premises of the unit in about 1.7 acres in pockets. During the visit ETP was not in operation due to non-operation of the unit hence, ETP samples could not be collected.
6. The industry has installed one boiler of 7 TPH steam generation capacity, HRU followed by Dual Cyclone and a Water Scrubber with stack of adequate height and sampling arrangement as part of its upgraded APCD in order to achieve air emission standards mandated in the notification issued by MoEF&CC on 16.05.2023. The efficiency of which can only be tested during its operational hours.
7. The industry has now submitted the record of Fresh water intake, final discharge at the ETP outlet, energy meter and record of sludge bags, all was updated as on date.
8. The industry has failed to submit the Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs 6,30,000/- as imposed by the Board vide order no. 422 dated 18.09.2025 in compliance of the orders passed by the Hon'ble NGT in the matter of OA no. 1137/2024 on 25.04.2025.
Further, Industry in reply to the Board’s Letter No. PPCB/SEE/ZO-2/LDH/2026/750 dated 30/01/2026 regarding Environmental Compensation and Consent Compliance has submitted a request letter vide its letter dated 05/02/2026 stating that “Firm had already informed that the industry has remained non-operational for the past 6-8 months due to severe financial losses. Because of the continued financial distress, it is presently not possible for the industry to deposit the Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs. 6,30,000/- imposed by the Board vide order no. 422 dated 18/09/2025. Further, in connection with the above matter, the Proprietor of the industry, Mr. Tilak Raj, has already submitted a separate representation to the Hon'ble Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Head Office, Patiala, humbly requesting kind intervention and sympathetic consideration for waiver of the Environmental Compensation”.
Hence, the industry is not complying with the order passed by the Hon’ble NGT on 25.04.2025 in the matter of O.A. no. 1137/2024 tilted as "Neelam Rani & Others vs State of Punjab" by way of non-submission of Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs 6,30,000/-
It is also informed that Hon’ble NGT after examining the reply of committee regarding submission of the Environment Remediation Action plan, has directed vide its order dated 19.02.2026 that “Further compliance report may be filed within six weeks”. The next date of hearing in this case is on 13.04.2026.
Keeping in view of the above, it is recommended that Show Cause notice for refusal of Consent to Operate under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be issued to the industry for non-submission of Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs 6,30,000/- already imposed by the Board vide order no. 422 dated 18/09/2025 with an opportunity of personal hearing before the Hon’ble Chairperson of the Board.
Further, directions u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 be issued to seal the additional soft flow machine of capacity 300 Kg of the unit please.
Competency:
1. Personal hearing before the Hon’ble Chairperson of the Board, being competent authority for the EC cases.
2. Directions u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 (CEE, L)
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