The list of EC violators spreads across mainly construction, mining and bulk drug manufacturing sectors
Representational image
Hyderabad: The Telangana state government does not seem to be in a hurry to take action against those violating environmental laws. Between 2010 and 2013, there were 148 cases of violations of Environmental Clearances by various companies, including some well-known real estate projects. As per the minutes of a recent meeting of the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), the state government was asked by the authority to initiate legal action against the violators. However, no proof has been provided by the state government yet on initiation of legal action against these violators.
The list of EC violators spreads across mainly construction, mining and bulk drug manufacturing sectors. Construction projects in Ranga Reddy district and granite mining units of Warangal and Karimnagar form a majority of the violators. Violations are booked under Section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act. The Act also has clause of imprisonment up to five years as punishment if a company is convicted.
The SEIAA had screened all the applications for violations and the onus has been with the state government since the past five years to initiate legal action. The SEIAA is an authority which works for the central government's Ministry of Environment and Forests. It checks for violations before Environmental Clearance is granted and for violation of any green norms. If any violations are found, the same is conveyed by the SEIAA to the principal secretary of the state government's Environment and Forests department.
After this, the violation is forwarded to the concerned state government departments depending on the industrial sector where the violation is found. The concerned department has to ensure that legal action is initiated and the violator is prosecuted. In the 148 cases, the state government has not returned a single legal action taken report to the SEIAA.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
