Unauthorized Implemented Project of Nilachal Iron and Power caused serious environmental pollution.

By Bijay Mishra
Seraikela-Kharsawan , 21-4-2024
 
Several Green Activists & Organisations expressed concern over the alleged Operation of the Unauthorized Implemented Project of Nilachal Iron and Power Ltd situated at Ratanpur-Kandra Village, Gamharia Block, Sarikela Kharsawan of Jharkhand  causing serious environmental pollution. 

In a letter to MOEF & CC  and other statutory bodies , Activists & Advocate Mr Rakesh Varsane informed  that a complain was launched against the company ‘Nilachal Iron and Power Ltd’ for violation of environmental law /EIA Notification w.r.t. to illegal construction of 2 x 600 TPD Sponge Iron plant, 4 x 15 T SMS, CCM/Rolling Mill & Power plant. In this connection a detailed NGT mandated site inspection was carried by official of MOEFCC, JSPCB, CPCB, DM- Sarikela based on past complaint lodge, and it was found that company has illegally installed 2 x 600 TPD , Sponge Iron plant, 4 x 15 T SMS, CCM/Rolling Mill & Power plant without obtaining environmental clearance, consent to establish & consent to operate from MoEFCC & Jharkhand State pollution control board. Jharkhand Sate pollution Control Board had given direction to stop the construction vide letter dated 12.05.2021 & 23.03.2022, but  the company continued carrying construction. 

In order to regularize the same , the company has made application to MOEF under violation category (S.O.P dated 07.07.2021) and as per the 48th minutes of meeting of EAC for Industry - I sector held on 8th & 9th November 2023 , available on parivesh portal the project got recommended for environmental clearance. 

Knowing the fact that the company has carried the violation, company has not stopped the construction of the project and started operation of the unauthorized implemented project (2 x 600 TPD sponge iron plant, 4 x 15 T SMS & CCM/Rolling Mill) and still continuing the operation of the unauthorized implemented project without any pollution control equipments resulting in adverse impact on environment & nearby by sensitive area.

Advocate  Rakesh Varsane told that , the mindset of the management of the company is they will pay the compensation amount and will continue to carry violation by misleading and submitting false promises statement to the monitoring & regulating agencies.

Since the company has continued carrying operation of unauthorized implemented project (2 x 600 TPD sponge iron plant, 4 x 15 T SMS & CCM/Rolling Mill), it do not fall under violation category SOP dated 07.07.2021 of MOEF&CC, as one of the criteria of the said SOP is company need to stop the operation of the unauthorized implemented project.

Also , environmental compensation & penalty need to be reassessed as per the CPCB methodology because even after filling the application company continues to carry the operation activities as on date i.e. even in FY -2023 -2024 & 2024 - 2025 and submitted false turnover & project cost.

Recently the Hon’ble Supreme Court in W.P. (C) No. 1394/2023 titled Vanashakti vs. Union of India, has stayed the operation of both the Office Memoranda dated 7th July, 2021 and dated 28th January 2022 issued by the MoEF&CC. and in this connection an O.M. dated 08.01.2024 issued by MoEF&CC.

In this context , Advocate Rakesh Varsane urged the Govt , monitoring & regulating agencies to look into the seriousness of the matter and cancel the environmental clearance recommended in 48th meeting of EAC for Industry I sector held on 8th & 9th November 2023 and initiate strict action against this offender to ensure no more damage is caused to the environment in any respect.

He urged to refer the matter to CBI/ED or any other relevant authority for further investigations as how the company is procuring raw material in excess to the permission granted in pollution clearances for operation of unauthorized implemented project and how the raw mater linkage is made without pollution certificate.

JANMAT” informed details about the illegality, violation and lapses of the said company  and urged the Govt to take stringent action against the violators .