Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Chepuri Ramachandraiah Vs State of Andhra Pradesh dated 18/11/2021.

Grievance in the application is against violation of environmental norms by Hindys Chemical factory, causing air and water pollution, adversely affecting the cattle and crops and public health in village Velminedu, Chityala mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana.

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The joint committee report stated that water samples collected showed that water is not fit for use of irrigation. The RSC (Residual Sodium Carbonate) is 14.80 (Normal 1.25- 2.50) which needs a lot of reclamation measures.

The NGT noted that there are serious violations resulting in damage to the soil quality and water in the area. Further, the unit has been manufacturing more than the consented capacity and not maintaining record and also not complying with the consent conditions and the only action taken by the SPCB is  forfeiting the bank guarantee to the extent to Rs. 2 lakhs. The court was of the opinion that further remedial action is necessary, after ascertaining a factual position.

The bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and Sudhir Agarwal directed the constitution of  the Joint Committee of MoEF&CC, CPCB, State PCB and the District Magistrate, Nalgonda. The joint committee has to undertake visit to the site and interact with the stakeholders and evaluate compliance status in all respects - air, water, soil, groundwater, compliance of the consent and EC conditions and the quantum of compensation required to be recovered, in the light of the violations found.