Pollution rules Madhya Pradesh Assembly debate

Industrial pollution in the state has increased at an alarming rate and it is badly affecting public life and water bodies. The issue today haunted the state Assembly and MLAs raised questions on the issue in industrial areas of Pilukhedi, Malanpur, Rewa, Pithampur, Dhar, Raisen and Katni.

Congress MLA Mohan Sharma informed the House that pollution in river Parvati had reached an alarming stage. The local people, he said, had reported deformities in children due to the growing pollution. Another MLA Neena Vikram Verma of BJP raised the issue of Pithampur industrial area. She informed the House that Dhar district was facing serious problems due to industrial pollution. MLA Surendra Singh Gagharwar, raised the issue of JP Rewa cement and alleged that the company’s manufacturing unit in Rewa had not only adversely affected human life but had also affected livestock and crops.

“The crop has damaged and is out of recovery, who will pay compensation?” he asked.

Raising another issue on pollution and illegal mining in Katni district an MLA Sanjay Pathak demanded an immediate probe into the issue. He informed the House that ACC Cement company had raised sound pollution as well as industrial pollution in the area.

Replying to the MLAs, Water Resource Minister Jayant Malaiya said pollution was within the parameters and no one had lodged any complaint in any of the cases. However, Speaker Ishwar Das Rohani asked the government to consider the matter seriously and look into it.

It also came to light that in some cases, companies have not obtained permission from MP Pollution Control Board. “A few Industries have not obtained permission from the pollution control board and Malanpur industrial area is badly affected due to noise and air pollution,” MLA Ranvir Jatav complained. However, the minister said in a written reply, “Permission for noise and air pollution is required only for those industries which fall under a Union government notification of department of forest and environment. And those fall under the category in Malanpur industrial area have obtained necessary permission.”