TS Pharma fined Rs 45 lakh for pollution

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has imposed an environmental compensation penalty of Rs 45 lakh on pharmaceutical company Brundavan Laboratories for violating environmental norms. The pharmaceutical industry located at Yellagiri village in Choutuppal mandal of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district is involved in the production of bulk drugs and intermediates.

According to the PCB’s report submitted on July 1, the compensation was imposed considering two complaints filed by local residents regarding water and soil pollution and crop damage.

The report was submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 3, stating the environmental compensation.

According to the PCB report, the amount of compensation was calculated on the basis of factors such as pollution index of the industrial sector, duration of violations, monetary component of environmental compensation, scale of operation and location.

67,50,000 was initially estimated by the PCB based on these figures.

However, in the task force committee meeting held on June 13, the pharma company requested that the environmental compensation be re-examined based on the investment made by the industry during the violation period. Following the committee’s recommendation, the PCB revised the environmental compensation to Rs 45,00,000 and directed the company to deposit the amount within 15 days.

Also, the PCB directed the pharmaceutical company to maintain adequate freeboard in the sewage collection tanks to prevent overflow. They were directed to treat the sewage as per the conditions laid down in the Consent for Operation (CFO) and Hazardous Waste Authorization (HWA) and not to stock the excess waste in collection tanks during monsoon. Dispose of them in a CETP (Conventional Waste Treatment Plant) or a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system.

The PCB issued these instructions under Section 33(a) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 1988 and Section 31(a) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 1987. The PCB will continue to monitor the industry regularly to ensure compliance with the conditions and directives issued by the Board.

Cleaning Cost:

• The fine was imposed on the basis of two complaints filed by local residents regarding water and soil pollution that caused crop damage.
• The amount of compensation was calculated taking into account factors such as pollution index of the industrial sector, duration of violations, monetary component of compensation, scale of operation and location.
• Initially it was estimated at Rs 67,50,000.
• After a task force committee meeting, the PCB revised the compensation to Rs 45,00,000 based on the company’s investment during the violation period.
• The company was told to maintain adequate freeboard in sewage collection tanks, treat sewage as per CFO and Hazardous Waste Authorization (HWA) conditions and avoid storage of excess waste during monsoons.
• Wastewater should be sent to a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) or treated in a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system.