NGT seeks PCB clarity on errant pharma company in Pochampally

HYDERABAD: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that a pharma company had exceeded its permissible manufacturing limit, which led to the discharge of polluted water into the surrounding agricultural land at Pochampally. Sources identified the company as Brundavan Laboratories.

The company, which was given environment clearance (EC) in June 2016, was allowed 10 products at 26.5 tonnes per annum (TPA). It had expended its manufacturing to 1,020 TPA with 30 products.

NGT said that there was an extension of the temporary revocation of the closure order of the expansion unit by the TS Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), indicating that there has been a violation of EC and PCB conditions.

The PCB report did not mention details about whether the violations had continued or legal action was taken, raised questions on the validity of the EC from June 2016, the tribunal observed.

“Since the orders of the TSPCB mention temporary revocation of closure order and extension of temporary revocation of closure order, we want to know whether any final orders will be passed, either exonerating the project proponent or punishing it,” the NGT said.

It directed the PCB to clarify if the unit had ‘consent to establish’ and ‘consent to operate’ as on date, and whether the unit was following the conditions imposed on it.

The NGT directed the ministry of environment to file a report on when the expansion was granted to the company and if any violations were pointed out by the PCB, and if the PCB has any powers to suspend or revoke the environment clearance.