In a major action by NGT in Punjab, 85 industries ordered to be closed, show cause notices issued to 4452 units

Chandigarh: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the closure of 85 industries in Punjab which are harming the environment. Along with this, show cause notices have been issued to 4452 industrial units. This information was given by Union Environment Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey in the Rajya Sabha on the question of Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, MP from Punjab.

Water pollution has become a major problem in Punjab. According to Minister Choubey, there are 25,374 industrial units in Punjab, out of which 2,906 have been shut down, but 22,468 are still operational. As many as 6,293 industries in Punjab are not complying with environmental norms. Due to which five rivers of Punjab are getting polluted and the level of three rivers falls in the category of highly polluted water.
Minister Choubey has shared the information that repeated warnings are being given regarding the protection of the environment. Despite this, 28 per cent of the industrial units in Punjab are not complying with environmental norms.
Only 3.03% of industrial units in Himachal and 1.50% in Haryana do not comply with the norms. In Punjab, show cause notices have been issued to 4,452 units while 85 have been ordered to shut down. Action has been initiated against 1756 industrial units.
Choubey said the NGT has directed the Central and State Pollution Control Boards to take action in the matter, but no case has been registered against anyone so far.
Industries have to take consent from the state pollution control board to set up and run the industry. The board has framed rules regarding disposal of waste from industries and other matters. In case of non-compliance, action is taken against the industrial unit under the provisions of the Water Act, 1974, The Air Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.