Pollution laws have become very important for industries. The industries creating pollution has to work under the permissible limit given in these laws. Disobedience of these pollution laws can lead to closer of industry and criminal prosecution for management.
It is worthwhile to mention that all industries are not creating pollution. From last some years the procedure under labour laws are made simple and transparent. Now most of the industry can deal with these laws without any difficulty and complication.
There are three main laws relating to pollution.
i) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act- 1981.
ii) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act- 1974.
iii) The Environment (Protection) Act-1986.
There are about fifteen rules under these Acts relating to different matters. These Acts and Main rules are given under Heading “Acts” in this programme.
The Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act- 1974 is normally applicable after 20 employees. Even a generator in your establishment can make The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act- 1981 applicable on your establishment.
These Acts provides Central & State Boards for the Prevention and Control of pollution for air and water. The Environment Protection Act empowered Central Government to protect and improve environment.
These Acts prohibits industries to spread pollution. The industries are bound to discharge any pollutant within standards prescribed for those pollutants. They also carry many precautionary regulations for safety against pollution.
The industries have to take no objection certificates from Pollution Board (normally State Board). The refusal and withdrawal of these “No Objection Certificates” by Pollution Boards can even lead to close of industry.
The closer of units are ordered normally only if deficiencies are not corrected after giving due time by pollution board to correct them.
The process of obtaining No Objection
Certificates are made quite simple these days. Acknowledgement of Application
for No Objection Certificates by Pollution Board is considered as No Objection
Certificate for most of the Small Scale Industries. Now this certificate is
issued for five years for most of non-polluting industries instead of one year.
The” No Objection Certificate “ is automatically granted after four months
of it apply if NO QUERY OR OBJECTION is raised by pollution board.
For transparency in the working of pollution boards, A special provision is made. Every State Pollution Board has to maintain a register containing particulars of the person to whom consent (No Objection Certificate) is granted. Any interested person can inspect this register at all reasonable times.
LIST OF POLLUTION ACTS AND RULES:
To see click on them: