National Green Tribunal today asked distilleries and sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh manufacturing, storing and transporting ethanol, why they should not be shut down for not obtaining permission from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices and sought the response from these ethanol producing units on a plea filed by an NGO seeking action against them.
"Issue notice to all the respondents who have not obtained permission from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation as of now and have only applied for permission to show cause why they not be shut down," the bench said.
The order came during hearing of a contempt plea filed by NGO SAFE alleging that authorities were allowing illegal operation of these units without license and in contravention of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989, putting lives at grave risk.
The NGT passed the order after advocate Saliq Shafique, appearing for SAFE, referred to UP government's affidavit and contended that only two of the 35 distilleries had requisite license while the others were manufacturing ethanol illegally.
The matter was scheduled for hearing on December 8.
"The industries manufacturing absolute alcohol or ethanol were not only operating illegally without the requisite permission from competent authorities, but also manipulating the actual total production, storage and sales figures of absolute alcohol causing not only huge financial loss to state revenue but also jeopardising safety of people and environment," the NGO has said in its contempt plea.
The NGT on May 9 had directed that no manufacturer will produce absolute alcohol without seeking appropriate permission from the Ministry of Commerce, Chief Controller Explosives and other authorities.
"It is in view of the fact that under the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 and Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules 1996 as notified under the provision of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 such permission is required," the tribunal had said.
The direction was passed as NGT dispose of the plea seeking closure of all ethanol units operating without permission or not complying with the provisions as specified under 1989 Rules.
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