(a) whether the existing environmental laws prohibit operation of industries/ factories in residential areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether a large number of industries / factories are functioning in the residential
areas and are reportedly violating the environmental norms and guidelines;
(d) if so, the number of such cases detected during the last three years, Statewise; and
(e) the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (e) Under the existing environmental laws, powers to regulate prohibition of operation of industries in any area including residential areas, is rested with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 empowers SPCBs / PCCs to grant consent-to-establish (CTE) and consent to operate (CTO) and regulate the stipulated consent conditions. Under Section 17(i) (g) of the Water and Air Acts, SPCBs / PCCs are required to advice State Governments on suitability of sites for carrying out operations of industries. State Boards have evolved norms to regulate industrial operations in residential areas where polluting units consuming high power, water and using fossil fuel or any other unapproved fuel are not permitted. Only the tiny service units falling under `green’ category are permitted with certain cautions. In case of Delhi and in compliance to Hon’ble Supreme Court Directives, large number of units falling under `H’ category have been closed down / shifted to other location.