Polluting units to pay bank guarantee

The Environment and Forest Ministry has decided to seek bank guarantee for revocation of its orders for closure of industrial units and projects on ground of causing environment pollution.

A notification says that the bank guarantee will be required to ensure  installation of pollution control equipment or taking necessary measures within the stipulated time.

Also, closure of any unit or revocation of the closure order will be now based on the opinion of the Central Pollution Control Board.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh [ Images ] has also tried to end charge of harassment of the industries by giving powers to order closure or revoke such order only to the secretary, environment and forest.

Powers are vested in only the secretary to issue show cause notices  proposing closure of a pollution unit and to take a final decision.

Show cause notices and a final direction, without closure of units, now vests with the additional secretary, in-charge of IA division, the notification said.

It added that cases involving policy implications or other sensitivities would be brought to the notice of the minister.