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Pollution control

Punjab Pollution Control Board Accused of Protecting Polluting Dyeing Industries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Environmental activists in Ludhiana, Punjab, have levelled severe allegations against the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), accusing it of obstructing efforts to prevent the discharge of untreated effluent into the Buddha Nullah. The Public Action Committee (PAC) has filed contempt petitions against PPCB officials and directors of two common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) for allegedly failing to comply with environmental norms and misrepresenting facts. The PAC has emphasized that the PPCB's inaction has hindered their efforts to protect the environment and public health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Action Committee (PAC) has accused the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) of protecting dyeing industries that release untreated effluent into the Buddha Nullah, despite clear National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders to stop the practice.
  • The PAC has filed contempt petitions against PPCB officials and directors of two CETPs for "failing" to follow environmental norms and "misrepresenting" facts before the NGT.
  • The dyeing industrial units involved have been accused of shifting arguments and misrepresenting facts, claiming confusion over NGT directions, blaming the state government, and denying the validity of 2013 environmental clearance.
  • Environmental activists have pointed out that Ludhiana has been classified as a critically polluted area by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), making environmental clearance mandatory.
  • The CETP projects received financial grants based on environmental clearance conditions mentioned in the 2013 approvals, with over half of the construction completed before 2018.
  • The PPCB has been accused of submitting a false claim to the NGT on December 23, stating that CETPs had complied with norms, and of deliberately weakening legal cases against the CETP operators.

Statistics:

  • 40 MLD (million liters per day) against 50 MLD CETPs
  • 80% of construction work completed on CETP projects before 2018
  • 2013: Environmental clearance granted to CETP projects
  • 2018: Central notification exempting certain industrial units from environmental clearance

Sources:

  • Public Action Committee (PAC)
  • National Green Tribunal (NGT)
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • Hindustan Times

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