Actions against 11 polluting steel, iron and power industries

            Raipur, September 12, 2008: Amid attack from people and Governor on the increasing loads of pollution in Raipur, Raman government has closed down one industrial unit and served notices to ten other power, steel and iron industries for polluting environment.

            After a high level meeting chaired by new Environment Secretary N Baijendra Kumar, Mahamaya Sponge Iron factory of Siltara industrial estate in Raipur district has been asked yesterday to close down its unit and also it had been recommended for disconnection of electricity supply to that plant for grossly violating the Pollution Control rules, state Pollution Control Board officials said here today.

            Notices were also served on ten steel, power and sponge iron factories of Urla, Siltara and Borjhara areas, located outskirt of Raipur city asking them to explain why their units would not be closed. The notices were served after it was found during checking that the industrial units were not adhering to pollution control norms, they said. 

            Pollution has been a major issue in the state, whether it is Raipur, Raigarh or even naxal infested less developed Dantewada district.

            Besides ruling BJP MLAs Devji Bhai Patel and Trilochan Patel, Deputy Opposition Leader Bhupesh Baghel of Congress, NCP State President Novel Verma, and a host of leaders from all political parties have raised the issue in and out side the state assembly on several occasions but other than a mere promise the government had never done any thing else.

            After he saw billow of smoke in Siltara industrial area, close to Raipur city, the Governor E S L Narasimhan straight went to the SKS Udyog and then Baldev Alloys himself on August 18 last and then pulled up the Pollution Control Board for its inaction.             However, the new team of officials treated it as an opportunity and short listed the names of polluting industries and started taking actions against them, officials said.