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| Polluting
Industries |
Programme Description
A comprehensive programme for conducting surprise inspection of the polluting industries has been initiated in December, 1999.
Programme at the State/UT level
Programme
SPCBs/PCCs were requested by CPCB, in November 1999, for constitution of the surveillance squads and carry out the surprise inspection of the polluting industries, in their respective States/UTs.
Response and visits
| SPCBs/PCCs which have responded | 15 |
| SPCBs/PCCs which have constituted or already have surveillance squads |
11 |
| No. of units inspected | 541 |
Observation
The number of visits made by the SPCBs/PCCs is not very encouraging. Also, only few SPCBs/PCCs have made such visits and the SPCBs/PCCs are required to give greater attention to the surprise inspection of the polluting industries to ensure proper operation of the pollution control facilities.
Programme at the CPCB level
Programme
A total of 137 polluting industries were identified in the various States/UTs for visits by the CPCB team during December 1999 to February 2000.
Status of visits
| S. No. | Name of the State/UT | No. of Industries Planned for Visit | No. of Industries visited |
| 1. |
Andhra Pradesh | 06 |
05 |
| 2. |
Assam | 02 |
02 |
| 3. |
Bihar | 10 |
05 |
| 4. |
Gujarat | 07 |
05 |
| 5. |
Haryana | 09 |
08 |
| 6. |
Jammu & Kashmir | 04 | 03 |
|
7. | Karnataka |
11 | 02 |
| 8. | Kerala | 03 |
02 |
| 9. |
Madhya Pradesh | 14 |
04 |
| 10. |
Maharashtra | 18 |
09 |
| 11. |
Meghalaya | 01 |
01 |
| 12. |
Orissa | 07 |
07 |
| 13. |
Pondicherry | 01 |
01 |
| 14. |
Punjab | 09 |
04 |
| 15. |
Rajasthan | 01 |
00 |
| 16. |
Sikkim | 01 |
00 |
| 17. |
Tamil Nadu | 02 |
02 |
| 18. |
Delhi | 02 |
00 |
| 19. |
Uttar Pradesh | 20 |
20 |
| 20. |
West Bengal | 09 |
06 |
| Total | 137 |
85 | |
Observations
Most of the industries inspected either do not have the requisite facilities or do not operate the facilities. The visit reports have been forwarded to SPCBs/PCCs for implementation of the findings and the action against the units have also been taken directly by CPCB wherever necessary. However, intensive surveillance is required at the State/UT level itself to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the pollution control systems by the industries.
Limitations
* Long time periods involved in phasing out of the old process technologies.
* Problems of retrofitting modern control devices in old plants.
* Lack of space for construction of pollution control systems in old plants.
* Unplanned growth of Small Scale Industries.
* Lack of social responsibility in the containment of pollution.
* Pollution control still considered as wasteful expenditure by industries.
* Indiscriminate location of industries in non-conforming areas and residential areas.
* Lack of requisite enforcement machinery.
Actions Required for Effective Control of Industrial Pollution
* Surprise inspection of polluting industries by surveillance squads.
* Judicious location of the industries.
* Streamlining of the consent procedures and inspection system.
* Computerisation of the consent management and inspection system.
* Commissioning of continuous monitoring and recording of emissions/discharges and arrangements for guard pond system.
* Environmental Auditing by recognised auditors/agencies.
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