Affidavit on behalf of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) in the matter of Suryaprakash Rawat Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 06/11/2019. The issue relates to pollution by M/s Saraf Silicates located at Nimakalali Road, village and P.O. Barakar, P.S. Kulti, District Paschim Bardhaman, Pin - 713324.

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The industry was engaged in manufacturing of sodium silicate with production capacity of about 300 MT/month. A complaint was lodged against the industry by a resident of Neemakalai More, Station Road, Barakar, Paschim Bardhaman against the unit for creating environmental pollution to its surroundings. During inspection, the industry's two coal fired boilers were not in operation and dense black smoke was being emitted from this stack. "It appeared that the air pollution control devices (APCD) attached to the furnace was not being operated properly," the report added. Further, the unit was located in a densely populated residential area. The unit does not possess the authorization for hazardous waste.

The industry was called for a hearing on July 26, 2019 for non-compliance of environmental norms as observed during inspection by the WBPCB. The partner of the industry appeared in the hearing and agreed with the above mentioned observation. But he was unable to submit any satisfactory explanation to the non-compliance of the environmental norms. The SPCB issued directions for closure of the unit and disconnection of the electricity.

Note: The report of November 6, 2019 was uploaded to the NGT site on July 31, 2020