4/25/13

<B>Pollution board slaps notices on PSUs</B>

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Pollution board slaps notices on PSUs

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, April 9: The state pollution board stuck to its stand and issued showcause notices to two major public sector units of Bokaro today for violating environmental norms. The letters, which have been dispatched via speed post, are expected to reach Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) and DVC-owned Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS) in a couple of days.

Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has asked the companies to send representatives to its Ranchi office on April 17 to explain their position. Showcauses were issued around 4 in the evening. There is no question of going back on our words. Violators have to face the music, board chairman Mani Shankar said over phone. The Telegraph had first reported on April 7 that JSPCB, which had found out through surprise inspections that the two PSUs were blatantly flouting pollution norms, was set to impose heavy penalties on them. The showcause is meant for seeking explanations and is not an attempt for any personal pleasantries. The move is aimed at instilling a sense of responsibility and accountability in all other big and small industries. If we find the explanations to be unsatisfactory, we will forfeit their guarantee amount (Rs 50 lakh of BSL and Rs 25 lakh of CTPS), Shankar said. Asked whether the board was willing to give the PSUs a second chance if they promised to toe the line, he said: It depends on the nature of explanation we get. In surprise inspections carried out over two months, JSPCB teams from Bokaro recorded on video several violations at the steel plant and thermal power unit. Shankar, who along with other officials conducted surprise inspections on March 23, described the findings as eye-opener. At Bokaro steel, the team found coke oven batteries 5, 6 and 8 leaking. Most of the battery doors were broken and huge balls of fire were belching out poisonous gas into the atmosphere rather than going through smoke chimneys. At the Chandrapura thermal plant, five ash ponds (A-E) were completely full and the contents werent being treated. As a result, slurry-laden effluents were being discharged into river Damodar directly. According to the report, a fog of dust (fly ash) was found arising from ash ponds A, B and C into the ambient air, causing heavy pollution to a minimum of about one kilometre distance. However, no one at BSL or CTPS could be contacted for comments. Officials at the regional pollution board office in Dhanbad said they would also receive copies of the notices. The showcause notices were directly issued by the Ranchi office as the chairman himself inspected the two places and took stern objections. But a copy will also reach my office in a day or two as it generally comes by speed post, said D.P. Singh, regional pollution officer.
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Bokaro Steel Limited, w hich has been show caused along w ith Chandrapura Thermal Pow er Station

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