Andhra Pradesh: Pawan Kalyan Directs Action Against Andhra Paper Over Pollution, Tax Dues

In a post on X, Pawan Kalyan alleged that the Rajamahendravaram-based paper mill was responsible for nearly half the city’s pollution and had not paid local taxes to Katheeru gram panchayat or Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation since 2016. He said the company owed local bodies ₹21.34 crore in taxes.

He questioned whether the company had granted itself a tax exemption and alleged that it approached courts whenever notices were issued, delaying payment.

Pawan Kalyan said Rajamahendravaram generated around 70 million litres of liquid waste daily, of which the paper mill accounted for 35 million litres. He said samples from its waste lagoons showed BOD levels of 36 mg/litre, 20 per cent above the prescribed limit, phosphate levels of 5.3 mg/litre, six per cent higher, and sulphides at 3.4 mg/litre, 70 per cent above Central Pollution Control Board standards.

He said the pollution was reducing oxygen levels, threatening aquatic life, damaging the Godavari ecosystem, causing foul odour and deteriorating water quality, besides posing risks to public health and groundwater.

Pawan Kalyan said the government had issued show-cause notices and given the company three months to rectify the alleged violations. PCB officials had held several discussions with the company, but he alleged that there had been no response.

The Deputy CM directed the board to issue summons and initiate action and asked government law officers to expedite related cases. He also sought public support for the “Clean Godavari–Sacred Pushkarams” initiative.