CHANDIGARH, March 6: The Punjab government will not permit location of any industries in the approved colonies of cities and towns as a safeguard against deterioration of environment and planned development.This was stated by Y.S. Ratra, Principal Secretary Environment, Punjab, at a roundtable on `Pollution Related Issues' organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) here.Speaking on the occasion, Ratra said that a development action plan for Ludhiana has been formulated and accordingly, polluting electroplating units located in congested areas would be shifted.As an incentive, priority would be accorded for allotment of plots in the focal points to the affected units, he added. Ratra asserted that though the state government as a policy would in no way discourage industries, but for meeting pollution control norms, the State Institute of Science and Technology shall advise industries on the eco-friendly technologies. In this connection, the pollution control technology for brick kilns has been development and sold for a fee of Rs 50 lakh.Responding to the suggestion of chairman PHDCCI (Punjab Committee) Amarjit Goyal about the delay in granting consent by the Pollution Control Board, Ratra announced a time limit of 15 days for green category, 30 days for moderately polluting industries and 60 days for highly polluting red category industries. He said that on the expiry of this fixed time schedule, consent would be `deemed granted' to the applicant.Another friendly measure for industries located in mixed land use areas of cities is to delete the requirement of `No objection certificate' (NOC) from the Board, for which an exemption list of environment friendly industries would be announced shortly.Chairman of the Board F. Lal Kansal said that a list of industries which have not obtained consent under green category is being prepared as obtaining consent is necessary.
