CPCB audit finds irregularities in 3 state boards; fines 4 firms more than Rs 355 crore for violating norms

Karnataka

In a directive issued to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on October 26, CPCB Chairman Tanmay Kumar said that in random auditing of M/s Enviro Recyclean Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, conducted by the CPCB on August 30 this year, it was observed that EPR certificates of the value of 3,50,000 tonnes have been generated by the unit whereas it has neither the processing capacity for the said quantity nor relevant prescribed supporting documents or information for the same.

“The unit has obtained registration and generated the said EPR certificates of 350,000 tonnes without any actual processing of plastic waste at the unit and by submitting false documents/information, which is in gross violation of provisions of EPR Guidelines,” the document accessed by The Indian Express states.

The letter further adds that as per the audit team’s observations, “one double shredder machine (manual feeding to shredder), four washers (two washers in series), two driers, one agglomerator and one extruder machine were installed in the plant but the same were not in operation as electricity and water connection had not been provided to the plant machinery”. “…electrical and civil works were in progress during the audit,” it adds.

During the auditing, the unit is said to have not performed or demonstrated a trial run to assess the processing capacity. “Further, the machinery placed in the plant is not in conformity with the plant machinery declared in the application form. The plant machinery corresponding to the registered capacity of 350,000 TPA was not found to be installed/commissioned in the unit by the audit team,” the CPCB letter said.

The CPCB said that quantities mentioned in the invoices uploaded on the EPR portal by the unit are fallacious and no relevant information regarding the procurement of plastic waste and sale of recycled plastic was made available to the auditing team to verify the processing of 350,000 tonnes of plastic waste and sale of corresponding quantity of finished product.

Moreover, the auditing team also said that the geotagged photographs/video of the plant uploaded with the application are not in conformity with the actual observations during the audit, indicating that fabricated photographs had been uploaded with the application.

The CPCB also stated that these observations were not made by the KSPCB.

The CPCB said that consent to establish (February 27, 2023) and consent to operate (March 7, 2023) have been granted by the KSPCB in quick succession within a gap of seven days. “It is not clear as to how the unit, which is a large-scale unit, was established within seven days’ time. It was also observed that the rental agreement of the unit was signed only on February 1, 2023. Though the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) of the plant was found to be under construction during the audit, the Consent to Operate (CTO) was granted to the Unit by KSPCB,” the CPCB said.

“The process of generation of EPR certificates by the unit was also not monitored by KSPCB, despite being the enforcing agency,” the CPCB said.

The central board has now directed the KSPCB to conduct a detailed enquiry into the issuance of CTE and CTO and take action against the erring officials. The CPCB has also sought the suspension of consent given to the company. A fine of Rs 175 crore has been levied on the company.

Gujarat

During its audit, the CPCB found that EPR certificates of the value of 11,482 tonnes have been generated by M/s Asha Recyclean India Private Ltd, registered with the Gujarat State Pollution Control Board (GPCB), in excess of its actual processing capacity. The CPCB said that the unit neither has processing capacity for the said quantity nor relevant prescribed supporting documents or information.

“The unit has obtained registration and generated the said EPR certificates of 11,482 tonnes without any actual processing of plastic waste at the unit and by submitting false documents/information, which is in gross violation of provisions of EPR guidelines. The process of generation of EPR certificates by the unit was also not monitored by GPCB. Only 8 workers were available in the unit as against 30 reported in the application form,” the CPCB said.

A fine of Rs 6 crore has been levied on the company and the GPCB has been directed to take action against the board officials and suspend the consent given to Asha Recyclean India Private Ltd.

Maharashtra

Located in Maharashtra’s Palghar, M/s Shakti Plastics Industries generated EPR certificates of the order of 2,56,240 tonnes, in excess of its actual processing capacity of 17,760 TPA, even though the plant has not commenced its operation, the CPCB audit found. Only 40 workers were available in the unit as against 125 reported in the application form. The unit obtained registration and generated the said EPR certificates without any actual processing of plastic waste at the unit and by submitting false documents or information, the audit found. A fine of Rs 128.12 crore has been levied on the unit.

Another plastic waste processor, Technova Recycling India Pvt Ltd in Thane, has generated EPR certificates to the order of 92,500 tonnes but the same could not be verified by the audit team as no relevant documents and statements related to sale or payment of taxes could be produced by the unit, the CPCB pointed out.

“Only six workers were available in the unit as against 30 reported in the application form. In view of the above, it is observed that EPR certificates of the value of 92,500 tonnes have been generated by the unit in excess of its actual processing capacity (4,700 TPA) and the unit neither has processing capacity for the said quantity nor relevant prescribed supporting documents/information for the same. The unit has obtained registration and generated the said EPR certificates of 92,500 tonnes without any actual processing of plastic waste at the unit and by submitting false documents/information,” CPCB said.

A penalty of Rs 46.25 crore was imposed on the units.