HYDERABAD: In view of a large number of complaints that her department has been receiving over the alleged irregularities in granting permits for establishing pharma and bulk drug companies, Environment & Forest Minister Konda Surekhaon Wednesday expressed her ire at the Telangana Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials over the issue.
During a meeting with officials and representatives of various companies, the minister reportedly said: “It’s not appropriate to show such indifference in granting permissions to companies.”
The minister also mentioned that several complaints are being received against the pharma and bulk drug companies too, especially from Choutuppal and other areas. “The PCB officials should perform their duties as per environmental laws,” she said.
Surekha reportedly expressed displeasure over the working style of PCB officials. “The government will not hesitate to take stringent action against officials who are violating the environment laws and rules,” she warned.
The minister asked the officials how many times raids have been conducted on the companies that were operating without permissions. She also sought the details of companies causing the groundwater pollution.
New task force team to check water pollution
Surekha revealed that the government is going to constitute a task force team to inspect the groundwater pollution caused by various industries.
The task force team will comprise IAS and IPS officers as well as Forest, Revenue, Environmentalists and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) officials, she added.
The minister also directed the officials to chalk out plans to shift pollution-causing pharma and bulk drug companies to outside the Outer Ring Road area as directed by the chief minister.
During the meeting, the PCB officials placed details of cases pending against the companies and industries in the National Green Tribunal before the minister. Surekha also enquired about the complaints being received by the CPCB. The officials briefed the minister about the inspections being carried out.
The minister, meanwhile, expressed her ire over the pharma and bulk drug companies sending their lower-rung employees as their representatives to important meetings.
Principal Secretary of Forests and Environment Ahmed Nadeem, PCB member secretary G Ravi, Chief Engineer Raghu and other officials were present on the occasion.
Plan To shift pollution-causing firms out of ORR limits
The minister also directed the officials to chalk out plans to shift pollution-causing pharma and bulk drug companies to out of the Outer Ring Road limits as directed by the chief minister. During the meeting, the PCB officials placed details of cases pending against the companies and industries in the National Green Tribunal before the minister. Surekha also enquired about the complaints being received by the CPCB. The officials briefed the minister about the inspections being carried out.