The Chemical Industries Association has urged the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to review its policy of banning new industrial activity in areas where the comprehensive environmental pollution index exceeds stipulated levels. Even if one or two industrial units do not meet the set standards, the index can exceed permitted levels in an area. If the Ministry follows its policy of banning establishment of new units or allowing existing players to expand, it results in even those units following norms being penalised. The association has urged the Ministry to lift the ban on setting up new industrial projects in Ranipet, in Tamil Nadu. While welcoming the Ministry’s decision to lift a similar ban in the industrial area of Manali (to the north of Chennai), the association said Ranipet in Vellore District was an important industrial hub. According to the association, a number of private sector units were operating in line with prevailing norms.