The Punjab Dyers Association and the Bahadur K Textile and Knitwear Association have received show-cause notices from the environment ministry for failing to adhere to green standards during the construction of a 40MLD and 50MLD CETP at Jamalpur Awana and a 15MLD common effluent treatment plant at the Bahadurke Road Dyeing Complex.
According to a monitoring team’s assessment, the ministry criticised the administration of these CETPs for failing to comply with environmental clearance requirements.
The associations were required to respond to the show-cause notice within 30 days of receiving it. If the ministry does not comply, it will be forced to take necessary action under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986, whether or not it gives the project more notice.
On 8th December 2014, Bahadur Ke Textile and Knitwear Association Limited (BTKAL) received environmental clearance, subject to a number of requirements and environmental precautions. During an examination in May, it was discovered that BTKAL had failed to submit the permission to establish that was received from the Punjab pollution control board in accordance with the Water Act and the Air Act. The CETP released about 15 MLD of treated water into Buddha Nullah in violation of the regulations since wastewater monitoring was not done.
On 3rd May 2013, the Punjab Dyers Association was also given environmental permission, subject to a number of requirements and environmental protections. According to the investigation, the unit was violating the rules by releasing between 40 and 50 MLD of treated water into Buddha Nullah. There was no information from the group about telling farmers that the water they were receiving was treated wastewater. They created separate CETPs for 40 and 50 MLD without informing the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
