(a) whether many complaints regarding environment pollution by companies from various States are pending with the Central Pollution Control Board;
(b) if so, the reasons for not taking any action against such industrial units running in these residential areas by violating the clauses of environmental laws; and
(c) the action proposed to be taken by the Government and the Central Pollution Control Board for closing down such units?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (c) The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) receives public complaints including complaints of industries operating in residential areas. The complaints received are referred to the concerned State Pollution Control Board / Pollution Control Committee for their redressal. The CPCB has not been vested with powers under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to grant consent to industries and, therefore, cannot close down the units. However, the CPCB has been delegated with powers under Section (5) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The CPCB has been exercising this power under its Environment Surveillance Scheme (ESS) for compliance by the industries.