Question : VIOLATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS BY FACTORY OWNERS

(a) whether there is any provision to take action against the factory-owners violating environmental laws;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the State-wise number of cases registered during the last three years and the nature of the action taken thereon ;

(c) whether the Government proposes to enact laws by incorporating provisions of financial penalties against the defaulters/offenders;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the prospective schemes of the Government for environment conservation?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provide for powers for taking action against defaulting industries.

(b) As per the available information from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) /Pollution Control Committees (PPCs), during the last 3 years, a total of 364 cases have been filed against the industries. Out of these, 114 cases have been decided. The action taken against the polluting industries include issuance of notices/directions under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and legal actions against such units through SPCBs / PCCs. Time bound Action Plans have been prepared for defaulting units for setting up the pollution control facilities.

(c)&(d) No, Sir. The existing laws sufficiently provide for actions to be taken against defaulting units including financial penalties.

(e) Time bound Action Plans have been prepared for defaulting units for setting up of the pollution control facilities. A road map has also been drawn under the Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environment Protection (CREP) for 17 categories of industries for progressive improvement in environmental management practices through adoption of cleaner technologies.