Indian industrialists will now have few excuses for not undertaking Pollution control measures: the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) has offered Rs 150 crore as assistance to the most polluting industries.

About 40 manufacturers of caustic soda, chlorine and paper, which ICICI says are the worst polluters, will receive grants under the scheme, which aims to not just curb pollution but also recover recyclable chemicals.

The ICICI will get $25 million from the United States Agency for International Development for the scheme as part of a programme to strengthen links between Indian and US firms in environmental protection an related technologies.

Referring to the grant as a much-needed measure, ICICI assistant general manager A T Kusre said, "In India, a company first goes into production, and then thinks of pollution control measores."