Visakhapatnam: Pointing out the re-launch of operations of KERBS Biochemicals and Industries Limited, without taking any penal action against the company for statutory violations, former Union Secretary and noted people’s issues activist E.A.S. Sarma informed to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, AP Pollution Control Board and the state government that, along with others he would seek judicial intervention, if the agencies fail to take action immediately.
For the past several months, Mr Sarma has been asking the government to initiate stringent action against the company, alleging that the chemical industry in Munagapaka mandal has been releasing toxic chemicals into water bodies and agricultural lands in Gantavanipalem village.
Instead of taking prosecution proceedings against the industry, for causing toxic pollution that has damaged the health of the people in the surrounding villages, Mr Sarma alleged that APPCB has been in a hurry to grant undue benefits to the industry.
The APPCB has not cared to commission a study to assess the adverse health impacts of the pollutants on the local communities and has not assessed the irreversible damage caused to the local groundwater aquifers, Mr Sarma levied heavy charges on the government bodies.
Mr Sarma, alerted C.K. Mishra, Secretary, UMEFCC and chief secretary, Andhra Pradesh to initiate proper action against the industry.
“With the seriousness of the issue, the MEFCC should clarify about the environment clearance for the project and should impose a penalty deterrent enough to discourage other similarly placed companies from violating EC conditions and adequate enough to clean up the contamination caused so far and restore the health of the people. Criminal prosecution should immediately be launched against the promoters of the company, under the relevant sections of IPC, for endangering the lives of the people,” Mr Sarma said.
Is APPCB not obligated to inspect such cases and prosecute the culprit industrial units? For the small offences committed, lakhs of poor people are forced into jails as under trials, whereas promoters of these units are allowed to flourish and make money, Mr Sarma pointed out.
As there has been no response from the government enforcement agencies, Mr Sarma also informed the Director General of ACB, Andhra Pradesh, to probe into the permissions issued by the government officials to restart the operations of the industry.
Mr Sarma sent several pictures and videos informing the government that the industry has been using pipes to convey toxic pollutants deliberately into the local water bodies. The MEFCC has a Regional Office that is expected to monitor polluting industries and report lapses, if any, to the MEFCC for necessary penal action.
“Is MEFCC’s Regional Office working in collusion with KERBS? Why is MEFCC not taking action against the officers concerned?” Mr Sarma charged on the state and Central governments.
