Power supply to Baddi unit cut because of reckless waste dumping

Taking stern view of the reckless dumping of solid waste generated from the foundry along the catchment of Ratta river by the casting division of Indo Farm Tractor and Motor, Baddi, the State Pollution Control Board has ordered disconnection of its power supply.

The action taken by the board's chairman last evening follows a field inspection undertaken by the regional officer of the board on November 19 where it was found that the said unit was dumping solid waste generated from the foundry unscientifically without any protection measures along the catchment of Ratta river.

Though a show cause notice was issued to the said unit by the board, nothing tangible was done to undo the harm done to the environment.

The case has once again exposed the abject lack of concern for the environment by the investors who seek various relaxations from the state government but shy away from adhering to the pollution control norms at a time when such cases are already under the scanner of the state high court which was hearing a public interest litigation pertaining to pollution caused to Ratta river by reckless dumping of waste by the industrial units.

The unit has also been made a respondent in the ongoing case by the court following this violation.

The Regional Officer of the board has recommended disconnection of the power of the said unit for violating section 33 A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Section 31 A of the Air (Protection and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 stating that the order was issued last evening by the board’s chairman.

The executive engineer of the HP State Electricity Board Limited Baddi Deepak Verma complied with the orders and disconnected the unit’s power supply, confirmed the officer.

The unit management has been directed not to operate the unit on diesel run generation set or any other source of energy. Non- compliance would lead to a monetary penalty up to Rs 10,000.