PARADIP: The Orissa High Court has issued a stay order on the directive of State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for closure of Paradeep Phosphates Ltd (PPL). Recently, the SPCB had slapped a closure notice on PPL for violating pollution control norms. Locals had alleged that PPL plant had been discharging ammonia gas and other harmful chemicals into water bodies in the area. As a result, crops were damaged and people were affected with water-borne diseases after consuming the polluted water. The matter was brought to the notice of the PPL authorities but no action was taken by the latter. Harassed, they aired their grievances before the SPCB, which sent an expert team to ascertain the facts. The investigation revealed that harmful effluents were discharged from the PPL plant which posed threat to human and animal lives. Later, the Board served notice to PPL to close down its three chemical units - Phosphoric, Sulphuric, Di-Ammonia phosphate plants by October 10. The HC has issued a stay order on the closure notice on the PPL