After taking on corporate giants for allegedly violating environmental laws,the ministry under the combative Jairam Ramesh has a new target: a controversial distillery unit owned by former Union Minister T R Baalus company. The Environment and Forests Ministry has written to the State Pollution Control Board on Monday,seeking details about how the proposed distillery would affect the quality and availability of groundwater in Thanjavur district,one of the main parts of the delta region that is the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC),the panel that awards environmental clearance to industries,had sought these details in August,though it was yet to receive any information in this regard,the letter said. The Central Groundwater Board has also been asked to tender its opinion. The proposal to set up a unit at Vadaseri in Orathanadu taluk of Thanjavur to manufacture industrial alcohol to produce industrial chemicals like acetaldehyde,acetic acid,acetic anhydride and ethyl acetate attracted controversies right from the beginning after a large number of villagers opposed the plan fearing adverse impact on local environment and water. Though the local panchayat ruled by the DMK had given sanction to set up the unit,the public led by Vadassery Village Farmers Association and Opposition party members opposed it and sought authorities to repeal the sanction. Even the mandatory public hearing held late last year was marred by violence,and the whole project was soon embroiled in a legal tangle. Finally,after several rounds of litigations,the Madras High Court had in July asked the Union ministry to take a call on the proposal after hearing out all parties concerned.
