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Journalism of Courage
Firebrand BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal is in the news again after the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) ordered the closure of a sugar factory owned by him at Chincholi in Kalaburagi district.
The order by KSPCB issued on January 25 highlighted several violations of norms by Siddashri Souharda Sahakari Niyamit. The closure order said that effluent stagnation was observed, press mud and ash were stored in an open area, and excess condensation in sugar units was stored in an unlined lagoon, which may lead to groundwater pollution, apart from other violations.
“..the Board is constrained to issue closure directions to the industry under Section 31(A) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,” the order read.
Responding to the same, Yatnal alleged that the state government had issued a closure order as it was unable to fight him politically. “The factory was established to help farmers and create employment in a backward region. We will challenge this in court. I am not afraid of such notices and orders,” he said in a post on X Saturday.
Meanwhile, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre maintained that the order was issued as the factory had violated environmental laws. “As per my information, a year ago, for violating the Environment Protection Act, the central government had fined (the factory) Rs 1.5 crore. Even after paying the fines, Water and Air Act conditions were not fulfilled. Without permit, lakhs of tonnes of sugarcane was crushed,” he said, maintaining that the order was not politically motivated and that the laws are the same for all.
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