Question : ACTION OF CPCB TO COMBAT POLLUTION

(a) the steps taken by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to combat pollution caused by NTPC Seepat and SECL Bilaspur as well as industrial localities at Raipur-Raigarh and Korba where the number of power, cement, coal mines and steel industries are violating air, water and dust pollution rules and causing severe damage to human organs and health on a large scale;

(b) whether the CPCB is monitoring emissions from the industrial units and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the action taken or to be taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) to (c) Under an Environment Surveillance Programme, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) undertakes surprise inspections, emission and effluent monitoring of units falling under 17 category of highly polluting industries and other polluting industries for ensuring the compliance of emission and effluent standards, as applicable.

During last three years, CPCB inspected 11 sponge iron plants, 2 cement plants and 5 power plants. SECL, Bilaspur could not be inspected. The inspection of industries was carried out in the area of Raipur, Raigarh, Taraimal, Korba, Bilaspur and Champa. Directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 have been issued to sixteen industries including NTPC, Seepat.

Directions under Section 18 (I) (b) of the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981 have also been issued to Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board to ensure the compliance of emission and effluent norms, in the industries, as applicable.