STATUS OF 17 CATEGORY HIGHLY POLLUTING INDUSTRIES.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest , government of India has identified 17 categories of highly polluting industries as a priority sector from pollution point of view. These industries are required to fully comply with pollution control norms and continue to remain compliance.
To ensure that the industries comply with the standards laid down in a given time frame, the government of India issued a Notification in GSR 95 (E), dated 12.2.1992 under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, according to which the industries have been classified into : Industry commissioned prior to May 1981, has to comply with standards before 31.12.1993. Industry commissioned post May 1981 has to comply with standards before 31.12.1992.
In 1992 the Board identified 85 industries under 17 category of highly polluting industries as notified by Government of India and Central Pollution Control Board.
On 27.1.1994, the Central Pollution Control Board issued directions to the State Board under Section 18 (1) (b) of Water Act and Air Act to consider extension of time for completion of pollution control measures after examining the bonafides on case to case basis up to a maximum of 6 months i.e. up to June 1994.
Accordingly, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board after examining the industries on a case to case basis extended the time for completion of pollution control measures to June 1994. In this process, the Board informed some of the industries to deposit guarantee money as a proof of intent to complete the pollution control works. For the industries which did not show adequate bonafides, a legal course of action under the statue was taken.
By and large, most of the industries adhered to the time stipulation and completed the pollution control systems. For defaulting units, the Board took stringent action and issued closures orders under Section 33 (A) of Water Act and 31 (A) of Air Act. With persuasion and following legal courses, the Board ensured completion of pollution control systems in 71 of the 85 identified 17 category industries.
There is an addition of another 50 industries under the 17 category commissioned after 1992, taking the total number to 135 (the cut-off year when the notification of the Government of India GSR 95 (E) dated 12.2.1992, was issued), taking the total number to 135.
These industries are required to comply with the provisions of the Water Act, Air Act, and the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act. At present the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is insisting the industries to have an Environmental Cell with qualified and competent staff and also to establish Self Monitoring System. It is observed that the industries are trying to comply with these requirements under each Act independently, but not in a structured and systematic manner.
It has been universally accepted now that the environmental performance of a company can be improved only by improving the management practices. In this background the International Standard Organization has published ISO 14000 series of standards which will help organization to establish a structured and systematic approach to environmental management and also help to address the environmental issues in a holistic manner. Establishment of an environmental system in conformity with ISO 14001 standard will enable the industry to systematically comply with requirements of the law, prevent pollution and also to improve the environmental performance continually. ISO 14000 certification will also enable the industries to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection to the interested parties.
By promoting the industries to go in for ISO 14000 certification, the enforcement burden on the Board will also come down since the industry itself will be taking care of the requirements of the law proactively.
Considering the above advantages, it is felt appropriate to encourage or promote the adoption of ISO 14000 by the industries in Karnataka. The Board in its 139th Meeting held on 21.06.2001 have recommended to make ISO 14001 certification compulsory for highly polluting industries.
As on 31.03.2005, fourteen 17 category industries have obtained ISO 14001 certification.
Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP : CPCB & MoEF have evolved “Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP)” during March 2003 which enlists action points for 17 category highly polluting industries. These action points are addressed to corporate bodies as well as Regulatory Agencies. Thus, the charter is a commitment for partnership and participatory action of the concerned stakeholders. The charter is also a road map for progressive improvement in environmental management systems ( EMS ). Thus, it is not necessarily limited to compliance of end of the pipe effluent and emission standards.
As per the CREP, the SPCB's are required to verify compliance status of 17 category highly polluting industries with the National Standards notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in the State within June 2003 & to insist for bank guarantee in respect of non-complying units along with action plan to ensure compliance. However, the recommendations of CREP were voluntary in nature and it is not a statutory requirement. National level task forces have also been constituted to monitor the implementation of CREP. These task forces are meeting regularly.
In line with this and in order to appraise the industries about the CREP, series of meetings were held with each industry sector falling under 17 category. All the industries have drawn plan of action to implement the action points and have by and large are complying with it. The implementation is being closely monitored. |