236 textile & dyeing units in Tamil Nadu sealed

Erode, Tamil Nadu: Two hundred and thirty six textile dyeing and processing factories in the district have been sealed for violating pollution control board norms, their licenses cancelled and power connections cut off, according to environment minister Thoppu N. Venkatachalam.

Speaking at a function here on June 28, he said only 20 of the 46 leather tanning factories in Erode are now functioning while the others closed on their own for not fulfilling the Board's norms. He said villagers of nearby Ellapalayam had recently submitted a petition stating one textile dyeing unit was discharging huge quantity of untreated effluents into fertile lands, causing them problems. The Board had examined it and ordered closure of the factory.

The Minister said he had received information that some persons were taking advantage of the drought situation in the district and collecting borewell water in Lorries and selling it  at high rates. He also distributed free mobiles to 104 doctors working in Primary Health Centres in the district.