SC refuses to close down Paradeep Phosphates

The Supreme Court has refused to direct the closure of Paradeep Phosphates in Orissa, which has been allegedly violating environment laws.

However, it asked the company to follow environment laws and stringently treat effluents before releasing them.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, while turning down the Orissa government's plea for closing PPL, asked the firm to take rigorous steps.

"Though we are not fully satisfied with the steps taken by the respondent-Company, we request the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to make a visit in the month of April with a new notice in advance to the respondent-company and also to the State Pollution Control Board and file its report...

"We are not inclined to order (closure) of the factory for the time being," the Bench stated.

While posting the matter for hearing on May 12, it directed the CPCB and Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to inspect the factory again and "see what remedial steps have been taken subsequent to its earlier visit and give a report as to what further steps have to be taken" by the company, and submit a report by May 10.