E-Paper
Closure notices issued to over 1000 industrial units by CPCB
The regulatory agency issued notices to 1033 industrial units that are part of 17 highly polluting industries like sugar, pharmaceuticals and distilleries.
The Central Pollution Control Board has issued closure directions to 1033 industries that failed to install Online Consent Management & Monitoring System or connect them to the CPCB server.
These industries fall into 17 categories with the maximum closure notices going to sugar producers (245) followed by pharmaceutical (175) and distillery (145)
There 17 categories of industries are identified as the most polluting, are required to install online monitoring devices. The monitoring system is now entirely online and anyone failing to register and provide data through the online platform is supposed to be in violation.
For most industries the CPCB monitors the quality of the emissions and effluent discharged by the industries.
For continuous monitoring the industries are required to install their own monitoring equipment and transmit the data to CPCB for the parameters laid down by the regulatory body. This means the regulatory agency does not install its own systems but relies on the industries to do so and to invest in it following the “polluter pays principle.”
However, this form of self monitoring gives little incentive for industries to do so. The CPCB relies on state pollution control boards and local enforcement agencies to enforce the closures. At times this means shutting off the power supply to the units to force closure.
Critics argue that this form of regulation does not lead to desired environmental outcomes and
