What role does TSPCB play in environmental protection and pollution control?

TSPCB being the chief regulator for implementation environmental protection and pollution control laws in the State, plays an important role in enforcing various laws, rules, regulations notifications etc. pertaining to prevention and control of pollution. TSPCB also carry out monitoring of pollution sources and initiates preventive and corrective action.

Is TSPCB's role only that of a regulator? Or does it also play a facilitator's role?

Primary role of TSPCB is that of a regulator. However, TSPCB also conducts awareness programs on the laws and their provisions and advises all stake-holders involved in environmental management and pollution control for compliance of the laws and to provide adequate control systems.

How is TSPCB connected to State Govt., CPCB and MoEF?

TSPCB is an autonomous statutory body. In certain administrative and technical matters, it is responsible to State Government, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoE&F), Govt.of India (GOI). TSPCB is bound to comply directions issued by the State Government, CPCB or MoEF.

What is the purview of TSPCB in the matters of pollution?

The TSPCB regulates industrial pollution as per provisions of Water Air Act. The TSPCB also implements Rules pertaining to hazardous waste, municipal solid waste, bio-medical waste, plastic waste, batteries and e-waste and performs the role as specified in the related Rules issued under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

What are the issues which are not dealt by TSPCB?

Purview of TSPCB does not cover all the areas of environment and issues concerning public. Certain issues which are not dealt by TSPCB and where responsibility lies with other authorities / departments are as follows:

What are the powers vested with TSPCB?

TSPCB is vested with powers to stipule standards for discharge / emissions of pollutants, to stipulate conditions to prevent & control pollution, to inspect & monitor sources of pollution, to issue notices and closure orders to the non-complying industries.

How is TSPCB organized?

TSPCB is organized in a three-tier system. There are Regional Offices at District Level, Zonal Offices for a group of Districts and Head Office at highest level. The powers and responsibilities are delegated to Regional and Zonal Offices based on category of industries. The details of organizational structure and locations of offices are available on the website of TSPCB.

What are the environmental and pollution related clearances required to set up and start an industrial unit?

Consent for Establishment (CFE) of TSPCB under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is required for setting up of an industrial unit and Consent for Operation (CFO) of TSPCB for starting operations. For the projects specified in the EIA Notification, 2006, Environmental Clearance (EC) of MoEF, Govt.of India is also required. The SSI units (investment less than Rs. 5 crores) other than 66 category of polluting units are exempted from CFE & CFO of the Board. The District Industries Center (DIC) is authorized to issue Acknowledgement to these SSI units which is treated as Consent of the Board. The related information is available on the websites of TSPCB, CPCB and MoE&F.

What are the responsibilities of polluting industry to prevent and control pollution?

A.       The polluting industries shall obtain required clearances i.e. EC (if applicable), CFE, CFO, etc.

B.       Establishment and operation of a polluting industry without obtaining necessary clearances is a violation and attracts action like closure and prosecution.

C.       CFO is issued for a stipulated time period and the industries shall get CFO renewed before expiry of the validity.

D.       The industries have to comply with the standards and conditions stipulated in the clearances, failure of which attracts action from TSPCB.

E.        Industries shall ensure that their operations do not cause pollution of air, water or land.

F.        Industries shall submit such information / reports as stipulated in the clearances.

Why are the standards stipulated for discharge / emissions of pollutants in the environment?

The environment has certain capacity to absorb pollutants (assimilation capacity) without adverse impact. The environment gets affected is level of pollution exceed this capacity. The standards are fixed at the threshold, where the pollutants released by the industries do not lead to such a situation. Hence, the standards are stipulated to regulate release of pollutants into the environment so as to protect the overall quality of environment.

Who prescribes the standards for discharge / emissions of pollutants in the environment?

The standards are prescribed by MoE&F, CPCB and TSPCB.

What are the parameters for which standards are prescribed?

Standards are prescribed for the parameters as stipulated in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. There are general as well as industry specific parameters for which standards are stipulated.

The parameters for water / waste water quality include pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Temperature, Suspended Solids (SS), Ammonical Nitrogen, Oil & Grease, Colour, Toxicants, Fluorides, Phenol, Cyanides, Heavy Metals, etc

The parameters for air quality includes Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Hydrgen Chloride (HCl), Ammonia, etc.

What is meant by "End of the pipe” treatment and what are the alternatives?

"End of the pipe” treatment refers to the treatment of waste after its generation from the process so that parameters are within the stipulated standards before disposal / reuse.

The alternatives are prevention / reduction in generation waste at source by adopting waste minimization practices, by carrying out process modifications and by adopting more cleaner process technologies. Several process technologies are being developed wherein processes are modified by changing raw materials, unit processes and operations so as to prevent / reduce waste generation.

Is it practical to prevent / reduce waste generation by industries?

Yes. It depends on choosing right process technology. With on-going research and development of new process technologies and raw materials there is scope for waste reduction / prevention.

What is the significance of common treatment and disposal facilities?

Installation of dedicated waste treatment and disposal facilities is sometimes not economically viable for certain industries, especially small and medium scale units due to their limited size, scale of operations and land availability.  Establishment of common treatment and disposal facilities like Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP), Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facility for hazardous waste (TSDF), Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBMWTF), etc. make it possible for such units to reduce the cost of waste treatment and disposal.

The Central and State Government also help in establishment of common facilities by way of providing land, subsidy and other forward and backward linkages.

The Common Facilities are established by forming a Special Purpose Vehicle to operate the facility in association with member units. Member units have to enter into agreement with operator for treatment of waste. The cost of treatment is borne by the member units based on their pollution load.

What are the common waste treatment facilities available in Telangana?

The common facilities in the State of Telangana are as follows:

·         M/s. JETL, IDA, Jeedimetla, Ranga Reddy District (CETP)

·         M/s. PETL, IDA, Patancheru, Medak District (CETP)

·         M/s. MANA CETP, IDA, Mallapur, Ranga Reddy District (CETP)

·         M/s. HWMP, Dundigal (V), Ranga Reddy District (TSDF)

Apart from the above, Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBMWTF) are available for treatment of bio-medical waste generated from each district.

What are the incentives offered to the industrial unit going in for "ISO 14001"?

The units which have obtained "ISO 14001" are given CFO for additional one year validity period.

Is it permissible to send hazardous waste for reuse in States other than the State in which it is generated?

Yes. Inter-state transport of hazardous waste is permitted as per the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Management Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008. The industry has to obtain NOC from the SPCB of the State where it is generated, SPCB of the State where it is proposed to be sent and SPCBs of transit States. Both the industries i.e. generator and user of hazardous waste shall have valid consent & Authorization.

What is the time limit for issue of consent by TSPCB?

As per Water and Air Acts, consent applications are to be processed within 4 months time. However, with the new Act of the State Government i.e. TSiPASS Act, the processing time is shortened for speedy disposal of cases. As per new Act, proposed time limits for processing consent applications are 21 days for Red category, 14 days for Orange category and 7 days for Green category industries.

What is the mechanism adopted by TSPCB to check (verify) compliance of polluting industries?

There are two aspects to verify compliance of polluting industries i.e. inspection of the industry and monitoring of pollution sources.

During inspection, processes and waste generation, storage, treatment and disposal systems are verified to ascertain their compliance with conditions stipulated in the consent orders. Pollution sources (air & water) are monitored (by sampling) to ascertain whether parameters are within the stipulated standards.

Based on the findings of inspection and monitoring, action is initiated against the non-complying industries.

What are the remedies for public against pollution?

Public can complain to TSPCB against pollution. They can also file appeals before the Appellate Authority constituted under Water Act and Air Act and National Green Tribunal if aggrieved by the orders of TSPCB or MoE&F. The public can also approach Hon’ble High Court against the polluting industries or against the govt. authorities in case of non-action.

How to lodge complaints with TSPCB against pollution?

TSPCB has provided a Toll Free Number (10741) for making complaints against pollution. This number is made available for 24 X 7. The public can make complaints on this number at any time. Public can also submit complaints at Regional / Zonal / Head Office of TSPCB.

Is pollution a necessary price that we have to pay for achieving development?

No. The environment protection and pollution control laws are enacted to regulate development so as to protect environment and to prevent pollution which may result from the projects. Adequate technologies / equipment are available for controlling pollution.

Is TSPCB the only authority to control pollution?

TSPCB is the authority to prevent and control pollution in the State of Telangana. CPCB and MoE&F are higher authorities which enforce regulations to control pollution.

What is the procedure followed by TSPCB in taking action against non-complying industries?

Procedure is as follows:

·         The non-compliance of the industry is established by inspection and monitoring.

·         Required evidence is collected such as analysis reports, photographs / videographs, etc.

·         Show Cause Notice is issued to the industry for non-compliance.

·         Industry is called for a hearing before the Task Force Committee of TSPCB.

·         Complainants (if any) are also called for hearing.

·         The pollution control status of the industry is reviewed by the Committee.

·         If the violations are established, then action is taken against the industry.

·         Three types of orders are issued to the industry based on the gravity of the situation.

 In certain cases, if there is scope for corrective action without stopping industrial activity, then directions are issued to the industry for improvement of pollution control system / measures. Compliance of the directions is then reviewed periodically.

 If the corrective measures requires stoppage of industrial activity, then Stop Production Order is issued wherein, industry has to stop production activity and carry out corrective measures. The status is reviewed after completion of corrective measures by the industry.

 In certain cases of gross violations, there is urgent need to stop industry in order to protect environment and to control pollution. In such cases closure order is issued, wherein power supply to the industry is stopped.  

What is the role of public in prevention and control of pollution?

Public can bring the pollution issues to the notice of TSPCB. Public (individually or through associations) can help TSPCB in propagating awareness regarding environmental protection and pollution control.

What is the role of Municipalities and Municipal Corporations in preventing and controlling pollution?

Local Bodies are responsible for treatment and safe disposal of Municipal Solid Waste and sewerage as per the provisions of law and as per the stipulated standards.

Sewage Treatment Plants and Solid Waste Disposal Facilities have to obtain the Consent/Authorization of TSPCB and operate as per the conditions stipulated in Consent/Authorization.

How is vehicular pollution control implemented?

The norms for the vehicular pollution are being implemented by Road Transport Department.