Industrial units imposed a fine of Rs 25K each for air pollution violations
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 11: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has served closure notices to five industrial units and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each for open burning, violating the directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
According to a statement here, the fines were imposed following a surprise inspection conducted on December 5 at the Umiam Industrial Estates.
The inspection, led by MSPCB chairman R. Nainamalai, along with member secretary Dr GH Chyrmang, and officials YF Laloo and M Tiewsoh, uncovered significant violations of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
These included fugitive emissions, stack emissions, and illegal burning, contributing to severe air pollution in the area.
The names of the units that were served closure notices and imposed fines for violating the Air Act include M/s Riangdo Veneer Pvt Ltd, M/s M.N Saw Mill Pvt Ltd, M/s Meghalaya Bioenergy Industries, M/s Mamata Saw Mill and M/s RNB Carbide Ltd.
It may be mentioned that the inspection comes amidst plans by the state government to develop Umiam area into a major tourist hub, including the establishment of a seven-star hotel.
This initiative, according to the MSPCB, also aligns with directives from the NGT, which has emphasised the need for strict adherence to pollution control regulations and the prohibition of open waste burning, with penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 for simple burning to Rs 25,000 for bulk burning.
“The surprise inspection is a strong warning to all air and water polluting industries that there will be no compromise on violation of air and water act besides other NGT and Courts orders,” the MSPCB said in a statement.