I can t just close down a polluting industry
On the Comptroller and Auditor General's (cag) report tabled in the Karnataka Assembly in 1996, which identified 10,888 polluting industries in the state (till March 1995):
In 1992, some of the industries were exempted (from seeking environmental clearance), under the exempted category of non-polluting industries, which meant that we could act only if there were any complaints against them. In 1994, a one-time consent was given to many industries (which allowed them to operate forever by getting a pollution clearance once). Moreover, many of the municipalities still owe money to us (not having these revenues hampered the functioning of the kspcb ). Another point that I would like to clarify is that these things took place before my time; I joined only in January 1995.
On the state of industries in Karnataka and the cag 's report on effluent treatment plants (ETPs):
What right has the cag to comment on effluent treatment? This is a deliberate attempt to malign the board. I would understand such criticisms from a citizen or a concerned person, but not from an auditor-general. This report is incorrect; it is based on incomplete knowledge.
On the problems being faced by the kspcb and the legal loopholes that allow long-drawn out wrangles between the board and industries:
The laws are similar all over the world, and it is true that we have comprehensive legislation. However, I cannot just close down an industry if it starts polluting. First, our officer has to go to the industry, conduct an inspection, collect samples and issue a notice. Then the industry has to reply to the notice and if the officer concerned is not satisfied with the report, he has to send in another report based on collected samples. We can proceed only after receiving the officer's report.
We have so many industries