PCB notice to SIPCOT on Sterlite land

The SIPCOT had recently announced that it would be expanding the Thoothukudi Industrial Complex by setting up SIPCOT phase-II on 654.42 acres of land. Environmental activists claimed that of the 654.42 acres, the SIPCOT had allotted 324 acres of land for Sterlite Copper to help in the expansion of the plant. 

However, environmental activist SP Muthuraman of Tirunelveli had dashed off a complaint to the TNPCB stating that the SIPCOT has not obtained permission from the pollution control board to expand the industrial complex and demanded action against it. Based on the complaint, the TNPCB, represented by the Thoothukudi District Environmental Engineer, has sent a notice to the SIPCOT demanding a reply within 15 days. 

In the notice, the TNPCB has stated that action had been taken under Section 25 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and under Section 21 of The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. Under both sections, the SIPCOT had not obtained permission from the TNPCB before going ahead with its expansion plans. 

Also, the TNPCB said that criminal action can be taken against the SIPCOT under both acts and highest punishment of six years can be awarded. Further, the SIPCOT would be shut down or power supply can be severed or water supply can be stopped to the industrial units, said the notice.