Cuttack: The Odisha government has imposed a Rs 73 crore penalty on various industries for spreading pollution in 2024-25, the highest in the last three years. This information was shared by Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia in the Assembly. In response to a question by BJD MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, the minister revealed that the largest penalty of Rs 71.16 crore was imposed on Vedanta Limited in Jharsuguda for illegal dumping of ash.
Other industries were also penalized such as: NTPC-SAIL Power Company (CPP), Rourkela – Rs 90 lakh, Hindalco Industries Limited, Hirakud – Rs 71.69 lakh, Bhaskar Steel and Ferro Alloy Pvt Ltd, Sundargarh – Rs 30.18 lakh, Shree Hari Sponge Pvt Ltd, Bonai – Rs 2.82 lakh.
Minister Singhkhuntia stated that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) is working to regulate industries through consent administration. If industries violate pollution norms, they are first given show-cause notices. If violations continue, the board issues closure directions after giving sufficient time to comply.
To strengthen monitoring, industries with high pollution levels have been equipped with online monitoring systems. These systems collect real-time data from chimneys and effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Additionally, IP cameras have been installed to continuously monitor emissions from chimneys.
The government’s strict action shows its commitment to protecting the environment and holding industries accountable for pollution.
