Hyderabad: The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has imposed an environmental compensation penalty of Rs 45 lakh on Brundavan Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company, for violating environmental regulations. The pharmaceutical industry, located in Yellagiri village of Choutuppal mandal in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, is involved in the production of bulk drugs and intermediates.
The PCB’s report, submitted on July 1, stated that the compensation was imposed in response to two complaints filed by local residents regarding water and soil pollution, which had resulted in damage to crops.
The report was presented before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 3, notifying them of the environmental compensation.
According to the PCB report, the compensation amount was calculated based on factors such as the pollution index of the industry sector, the duration of the violations, the monetary factor for environmental compensation, the scale of operation, and the location.
The PCB initially estimated the amount at Rs 67,50,000 based on these calculations.
However, during a task force committee meeting held on June 13, the pharma company requested a revision of the environmental compensation based on the investments made by the industry during the violation period. Following the committee’s recommendation, the PCB revised the environmental compensation to Rs 45,00,000 and instructed the company to deposit the amount within 15 days.
Additionally, the PCB directed the pharmaceutical company to maintain sufficient freeboard in the effluent collection tanks to prevent overflows. They were also instructed to dispose of the effluents in accordance with the conditions outlined in the Consent for Operation (CFO) and Hazardous Waste Authorisation (HWA), and not to stock excess effluents in the collection tanks during the rainy season, instead sending them to CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) or treating them in a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system.
These directions were issued by the PCB under Section 33 (A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 1988, and Section 31 (A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 1987. The PCB will continue to monitor the industry regularly to ensure compliance with the conditions and directions provided by the board.
Cleaning up costs:
- The penalty was imposed based on two complaints from local residents regarding water and soil pollution that caused damage to crops.
- The compensation amount was calculated considering factors such as the pollution index of the industry sector, duration of violations, monetary factor for compensation, scale of operation, and location.
- Initially, the amount was estimated at Rs 67,50,000.
- After a task force committee meeting, the PCB revised the compensation to Rs 45,00,000 based on the company’s investments during the violation period.
- The firm was told to maintain adequate freeboard in effluent collection tanks, dispose of effluents as per Consent for Operation (CFO) and Hazardous Waste Authorization (HWA) conditions, and avoid stocking excess effluents during the rainy season.
- Effluents should be sent to the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) or treated in a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system.
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