(a) whether the polluting industries are being monitored under electronic surveillance;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) the steps taken / being taken by the Government to penalise the violators; and
(d) the measures taken by the Government to ensure the compliance of norms prescribed for industries?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a)&(b) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has directed the 17 category of highly polluting industries to install system for online monitoring of emission / effluent quality. Out of total 3387 industrial units, 2736 units were identified for installing online monitoring system. 1783 industrial units have installed online monitoring system as on 1st July, 2016 and 625 units are in the process of installation while the remaining have been issued closure directions. The State-wise number of industries which have installed online monitoring devices is annexed.
(c) CPCB and State pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) conduct routine as well as surprise inspections to check the adequacy of the effluent / emission treatment system and verification of compliance as per consent conditions. The CPCB / SPCBs / PCCs take necessary action against the non-compliant units under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 which also include closure of the industry. After installation of real time effluent/ emission monitoring system, SMS alerts are generated in 15 minutes, in case the pollutant concentration exceeds the prescribed standards. The SMS alerts are sent to the industry to take corrective action.
(d) Major steps taken by the Government to ensure compliance to the prescribed standards include the following:-
(i) Regulating the implementation of prescribed norms through consent mechanism by State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs);
(ii) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
(iii) Action to comply with effluent standards by SPCBs / PCCs through monitoring;
(iv) Installation of Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System to check the discharge of effluent;
(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes;
(vi) Installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants;
(vii) Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water quality in aquatic resources by State Governments;
(viii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air and water quality;
(ix) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to industries and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
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