The minister said that the government is intensifying its efforts to combat environmental pollution through stricter regulations, improved monitoring systems, and better utilization of available funds, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable industrial sector.
In a decisive move to address the escalating issue of environmental pollution caused by industrial activities, India is reinforcing its regulatory framework through enhanced measures and increased scrutiny, the minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The central pollution control board (CPCB), in collaboration with state pollution control boards (SPCBs) and pollution control committees (PCCs), is implementing stringent provisions under the Water (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
India’s approach to managing industrial pollution involves categorizing industries into four distinct groups based on their pollution potential: red, orange, green, and white. This classification, which is derived from a pollution index (PI), takes into account factors such as water and air pollution potential and hazardous waste generation, the minister said. The minister added that the respective SPCBs/PCCs are responsible for issuing operational consents to these industries and ensuring their compliance with environmental standards. In cases of non-compliance, punitive actions are taken under the aforementioned environmental laws.
As of now, there are approximately 526,691 operational units across the country categorized under red, orange, and green classifications, the minister said. The government has put in place several mechanisms to monitor and enforce pollution control, including issuing show-cause notices and closure directives for units found violating environmental regulations.
Detailed reports on state-wise complaints and specific issues related to various industries, including chemical factories and slaughterhouses, are maintained and reviewed regularly. Notable among the regulatory actions are inspections mandated at different frequencies: every six months for red category industries, annually for orange category, and biennially for green category industries. High-pollution sectors and common waste management facilities are subjected to quarterly inspections to ensure compliance.
Scrutiny of funds
The CPCB has also introduced advanced monitoring systems such as online continuous effluent/emission monitoring systems. These systems provide real-time data on environmental pollutants, which is monitored 24×7. If pollutant levels exceed regulatory limits, immediate alerts are sent to the respective industries, SPCBs, and CPCB to prompt corrective measures and enforcement actions.
In addition to regulatory measures, the government has launched initiatives like the zero liquid discharge policy in specific industries, and promoted the use of cleaner/best available technologies to minimize pollution. There is also a focus on restoring critically polluted areas through targeted action plans.
The minister said in his statement to the Rajya Sabha that management and utilization of funds allocated for environmental protection have come under scrutiny. As of May 31, 2024, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has accumulated ₹422.56 crore in environment protection charges funds. Of this, ₹234.9 crores have been earmarked for various projects, including those put on hold due to a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order.
While ₹99.29 crores have been disbursed, leaving ₹187.6 crores available for further utilization, a significant portion of the available funds is designated for gap funding and specific city action plans. A proposal for utilizing ₹150 crores for supporting city action plans in National Capital Region (NCR) cities, not covered under existing plans, is currently pending approval from the NGT.
The environmental compensation funds, which total ₹403.72 crores, are also under review. While a portion has been released for specific purposes, substantial funds remain underutilized. New funding areas include projects for anti-smog guns, mechanical road sweepers, and the establishment of paddy straw pelletization plants.
E-Waste Management
In reply to another question, the minister said that the government is making strides in formalising the e-waste recycling sector to address the environmental challenges posed by electronic waste. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, and its subsequent revision in 2022, establish a comprehensive framework for managing e-waste, with an emphasis on extended producer responsibility. These rules mandate that manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers register on a CPCB-developed portal to streamline recycling processes and ensure environmentally sound practices.
The CPCB has issued guidelines for both dismantling and recycling units and has been actively monitoring these units to integrate informal sector operations into the formal framework. New regulations under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, include provisions for reducing hazardous substances in electronic products, ensuring proper worker safety, and promoting a circular economy through effective e-waste management.
Despite these efforts, there remains a significant proportion of e-waste handled by the informal sector, posing challenges for enforcement and regulation. The CPCB and SPCBs continue to undertake regular inspections and enforcement actions to curb informal processing and ensure compliance with the latest e-waste management rules.
The minister said that the government is intensifying its efforts to combat environmental pollution through stricter regulations, improved monitoring systems, and better utilization of available funds, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable industrial sector.
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