Polluter Pays: NGT orders Piramal and Allana to pay Rs 10 Cr Environmental compensation
By Coreena Suares Published on 14 Nov 2019 5:14 PM GMT
Highlights
- Piramal Enterprises Limited, a company owned by Ms Isha Ambani’s father-in-law.
- Allana is a Mumbai-based company involved in the slaughter business.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench in Delhi has issued orders for ‘environmental compensation’ against three significant industries based in Telangana. The list includes Piramal Enterprises Limited, a company owned by Ms Isha Ambani’s father-in-law.
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)- Delhi was acting upon a petition filed by one K. Lakshma Reddy against three industries.
The NGT has ordered ‘Frigerio Conserva Allana Limited located on Algole Road – Zahirabad to pay a compensation of Rs 1. 74 Crore. Allana is a Mumbai-based company involved in the slaughter business. The company is one of the biggest meat exporters in the country; however, found violating environmental norms.
While the highest fine of Rs 8. 34 Crore was imposed against ‘Piramal Enterprises Limited’ located in Sangareddy district of Telangana. The Mumbai based company is involved in drug manufacturing and is owned by Mr Ajay Gopikisan Piramal, who happens to be the in-laws of Ambani family.
While the third is Sri Siddi Vinayaka oil Mill in Zahirabad, the company was fined Rs 14.4 lakh, now a closed unit. In total the three industries will have to pay environmental compensation of Rs 10 crore.
A petition against these three companies was filed in 2018, and the NGT last reviewed the matter in August 8th 2019.
What did NGT constitute teams found during the inspection:
The inspection found that ‘Frigerio Conserva Allana Limited’ was discharging untreated effluents. While, Piramal Enterprises Limited located in Digwal, of Kohir Mandal, and Siddi Vinayaka Oil Mill in Zahirabad were adversely affecting the groundwater.
The discharge of untreated effluents were causing harm to the inhabitants, said NGT.
According to the observation of the NGT, Piramal Enterprises Limited, a Pharmaceutical unit is into manufacturing of 62 drug products. Multiple Teams constituted by NGT inspected the industry thrice and found that water contamination and rainwater collection pits were not lined.
In the case of Frigerio Conserva Allana Limited, one of the biggest meat exporters, having automated meat processing unit. The NGT inspecting teams found that massive discharge of untreated effluents was being released from the company leading to foul smell.
The Telangana Pollution Control board did issue a closure notice to Allana in January 2019 following smell nuisance. However, the NGT has asked Allana management to engage an agency that will help them study how to treat their wastewater, besides imposing them environmental compensation.
Highlights :
NGT issued orders for environmental compensation against :
1. Frigerio Conserva Allana Limited- Rs 1. 74 Crore
2. Piramal Enterprises Limited- Rs 8. 34 Crore
3. Sri Siddi Vinayaka Oil Mill- Rs 14.4 lakh
