In order to mitigate pollution and to safeguard health and environment, Government of India has enacted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Under the provisions of these acts, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Pollution Committees (PCCs) implement various rules and directions to protect environment.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notifies “Standards for Emission or Discharge of Environmental Pollutants from various Industries” under Schedule-I of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986. The general standards as notified under Schedule-VI of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986 are applicable where specific standards are not available for the industrial sectors. The concerned SPCB/PCC ensures the implementation of said standards. CPCB has directed all 17 categories of high pollution potential industries and common waste treatment facilities to install Online Continuous Effluent/ Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for strengthening monitoring mechanism and effective compliance through self-regulatory mechanism and constant vigil on pollution levels. Real-time values of environmental pollutants of trade effluent and emissions generated through OCEMS are transmitted online to CPCB and concerned SPCB/PCC on 24x7 basis. Central software processes the data and in case of value of pollutant parameter exceeds prescribed environmental norms, an automatic SMS alert is generated and sent to industrial unit, SPCB and CPCB, so that corrective measures can be taken by the industry immediately and appropriate action can be taken by concerned SPCB/PCC/CPCB.

An “Integrated Guidance Framework for Chemicals Safety in respect of the isolated storages and industries covered under Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989” has been prepared by MoEF&CC and CPCB in compliance of the directions of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal dated 11.06.2021 in the matter of Original Application no. 60/2021. The framework covers factories causing pollution or accident scenarios like spillages/ leakages of hazardous chemicals, fire, explosion or other incidents arising due to handling of hazardous chemicals and provides guidance to industrial units on conducting safety audits in adherence to Indian Standard, IS:14489:2018 - Code of Practice on Occupational Safety & Health Audit. To prevent industrial accidents and chemical emergencies, the MSIHC Rules, 1989 prescribes undertaking safety audits, preparation of on-site emergency plans by industries, preparation of off-site emergency plans by District Authorities and carry out mock drills for assessing preparedness. The MSIHC Rules, 1989 and Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Rules are enforced by the Chief Inspector of Factories (CIF)/Director of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH) of the respective States /UTs Governments.

The Central Government has also enacted the Factories Act, 1948, for ensuring the occupational safety, health and welfare of the workers employed in the factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948. The Occupier and Managers of the factories registered under the Act are required to comply with the provisions of the Act and Rules framed there under. In case of violations, the Chief Inspector of Factories/Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health of the State Governments are empowered to initiate penal action against the occupier and manager of the factories.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

 

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