The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) has issued a show cause notice to the Ultratech cement plant, Baga in Solan district, under the violation of pollution norms as per the Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981.

The stack of emission monitoring of the unit of the Ultratech cement plant was conducted last year and it was found that the results of emission monitoring are not as per the prescribed standards. Because of this the regional office of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board has issued a notice to take corrective measures for smoothening the operations of APCDs to ensure compliance of environmental standards.

Previously at the raw mill, cement mill, and coal mill the results of stack emission monitoring was found above the prescribed norms, adding that the action was initiated under various sections of Act for the violation.

The spokesperson said that, the National Green Tribunal has directed the State pollution control boards (SPCBs) to levy and recover environmental compensation from violating units and that the state has gave several opportunities but the unit is still not complying with the directions.

He further said, the HPSPCB has sought a reply from the unit within 15 days as to why penal action should not be initiated against the unit and why environmental compensation should not be imposed as per the directions of the NGT.

Further adding to the statement, the provisions of the act attract a fine of up to 10,000 and imprisonment of up to seven years or both as per the case.

In a similar case, ambient air and stack emission monitoring of M/s Ultratech Cement Plant, Baga was conducted to check emissions.  

“The result of ambient air and stack emission was collected, which was not conforming to prescribed environmental standards,” the spokesperson said. Adding to it said that a show cause notice was issued for the non-compliance on the shortcomings.

“Besides, the sheet cover to the coal mill area was also not provided. As a result, a show cause notice has been issued to frame its reply within 15 days,” said the spokesperson.

He said that the unit was once again inspected for not arranging a water sprinkling system in the plant area and dust emission was observed due to vehicle movement.

The issue of environmental standards has been raised many times by the local people in Baga. These cement plants were set up in the mid-eighties of last century ignoring the concerns of environmental groups now the corporate house is showing eyes to the government on various pretexts. 

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