(a) whether the government has fixed standard pollution norms for manufacturing
sector in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, industry–wise;
(
(c) the industries identified which are causing pollution in various States/UTs;
(d) whether the Union Government has issued fresh directions to the State Governments in
this regard;
(e) if, so the details thereof; and
(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for effective control of Industrial pollution in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) The Central Government has notified emission and effluent standards for
relevant pollutants under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for 74 categories of processes
and industries, including 17 categories of highly polluting industries. The identification of
pollutants and setting of standards have been done in consultation with various stakeholders.
There are concentration based standards as well as load based standards in some cases. There
may be differential norms depending upon production capacity, technology or location of
industry. For example, the limit for particulate matter for cupola furnace would be 450
mg/Nm3 if the melting capacity is less then 3 tonne/hour. Similarly, the norms for
Biochemical Oxygen Demand is 1000 mg/litre for wet process of Coffee industry and 100
mg/litre for dry process. In addition, there are norms for physical specifications to be
followed, such as, height of chimney for a boiler, brick Kiln or cement plant.
(c), (d) & (e) There are 17 categories of highly polluting industries, which have been
identified as Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-Alkali, Copper, Distillery, Dyes & Dye Intermediates,
Fertilizer, Iron & Steel, Oil Refinery, Pesticides, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Pulp,
& Papers, Suger, Tannery, Thermal Power and Zinc. The concerned State Pollution Control
Board (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committee (PCC) alongwith Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitor the discharges from these units. The Central Government reiterates to CPCB
and SPCBs the necessity of close monitoring of 17 categories from time to time.
(f) For effective control of industrial pollution, various steps have been taken by the
Central Government, CPCB and the SPCBs/PCCs. These include, inter alia, inspection &
enforcement of emission & effluent standards through issue of directions and consent
mechanism, mandatory prior environmental clearance for certain new projects/expansion of
projects, financial assistance for establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for
Small Scale Industries (SSIs) units located in industrial clusters, identification of
critically polluted areas and preparation of action plans for abatement of pollution.