Online Consent Management & Monitoring System

Ans:The Central and State Pollution Control Boards were set up for enforcement of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Over the years, the Boards have been assigned additional responsibilities which include the following :

Ans: Any industry, operation or process or an extension and addition thereto, which is likely to discharge sewerage or trade effluent into the environment or likely to emit any air pollution into the atmosphere will have to obtain consent of the Pollution Control Board/Committee under the provisions of Water (P & CP) Act, 1974 and Air (P & CP) Act, 1981. Similarly any industry / process generating, storing, transporting, disposing or handling hazardous waste as defined in schedule 1 and 2 of Hazardous waste (Handing and Management) Rules, 1989, as amended in 2000 are required to obtain authorization from PPCC under the said rules.

The medical institutions generating biomedical waste as defined in Biomedical Waste (M & H) Rules, 1989 are required to obtain Authorisation under the said rules.

Ans:There are three types of consent issued under the provisions of Water (P & CP) Act 1974 and Air (P & CP) Act, 1981.

1. Consent to Establish:

All the industries and activities needing consent must obtain consent to establish before actual commencement of the works for establishing the industry/activity.

2. Consent to Operate:

This consent needs to be taken before actual commencement of production including trial production. This consent is valid for certain duration i.eone year.

3. Renewal of Consent to Operate:

The consent to operate is renewed after certain period based on the category (red, Orange, Green) of the industries.

Ans: Prescribed application forms for the consent under Water (P&CP) Act, 1974 & Air (P&CP) Act, 1981, Hazardous Waste (M&H) Rules, 1989 are available at this website in downloadable format and can also be procured from the offices of the PPCC on payment basis.

For the convenience of the entrepreneurs, a combined application form for consent under Water & Air Act and Authorisation under Hazardous Waste (M & H) Rules, 1989 has recently been introduced in the state of Puducherry.

Ans: The fees for consent under Water & Air Act are payable on the capital investment of the industry (Including land, building and machinery without depreciation). This information is available in the consent/authorisation procedure section of this website.

The industries can also pay fees for longer period up to 5 terms for consent to Operate.

The fees for authorization under Biomedical waste (M&H) Rules, 1998 are linked to the bed capacity of hospital. This is also given in consent/authorization procedure section of this website. The fees for authorization under Hazardous waste (M&H) Rules 1989 are Rs.7500/- for a period of 5 years.

The fees are payable in the form of DD (Demand draft) in the name of MemberSecretary, Puducherry Pollution Control Committee at offices of the PPCC along with completely filled application form.

Ans: The entrepreneurs are advised to see the applicable restrictions for siting of new industry or its expansion. These restrictions are presented in Consent /authorization procedures/restrictions.

Ans: The citizens can register complaint about their environmental concerns as under,

Ans: PPCC has developed vision statement as:Improvement in the Boards functional efficiency transparency in operation, and adequate response to growing needs of environmental protection and sustainable development in the State of Maharasthra and is self explanatory

Ans: PPCC being a major regulator for implementation of environmental Laws and pollution control in the UT of Puducherry, plays an important role in securing sustainable development by enforcing various laws, rules, regulations notifications etc. pertaining to prevention and control of pollution. It is also responsible for monitoring of pollution and for preventive and curative action. PPCCs role has become multi-disciplinary including command and control, Regulator, Facilitator, Management Consultant and Guide to all the stake holders. Monitoring and surveillance has been one of the important function of the Board. Besides that by dissemination of information on Environment Protection and Training to all Stake holders, creation of Awareness become one of the important function of the Board u/s 17 of both the Water (P&CP) and the Air (P&CP) Act, 1981 respectively. PPCC is also supposed to initiate remediation or restoration process by imposing remediation cost and penalty with the approval of the CPCB under the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling &Transboundary Movement) rules, 2008. PPCC is also empowered to carry out certain urgent works, as are within its bound.

Ans: PPCC's primary role is of a regulator. However, it goes beyond regulation in order to advise all stake-holders involved in environment management and pollution control for compliance of the laws to organize the systems necessary for securing this objective and also to sensitize the laws and their implications

Ans: PPCC is an autonomous statutory body. In certain administrative and technical matters, it is responsible to State Government, Central Pollution Control Board and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt.of India. In critical matters, it is bound to go by the directions given by the State Government, CPCB or MoEF as the case may be.

Ans: Normally the PPCC's No Objection Certificate in the form of Consent to establishment under Water Act, Air Act & Hazardous wastes Rules would be required for setting up of an industrial unit.

In regard to 39 specified industrial and infrastructure projects, environmental clearance from the MoEF, Govt.of India and State Environment Department are also required as per Environmental Impact Assessment Notification dtd.14/09/2006 hoisted on the PPCCs Website PPCC[at]gov[dot]in These industry specific details would be available from the information provided in this Website. For the industrial units, MSW sites and other developmental activities located on the coastal stretches of bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and back waters, CRZ clearance also is required.

Ans: No. It is also concerned with management of municipal waste, bio-medical wastes, used lead acid batteries, hazardous chemicals, electronic wastes and some other aspects related to pollution. PPCC implements various Regulations and Notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, which are placed on the PPCCs website.

Ans: PPCC are implementing following programmes

1. Pollution control in 17 categories of highly polluting industries

2. Pollution control from industries discharging waste water into rivers and lakes

3. Inventorization of pollution industries in the State and ensuring their compliance to the Pollution control norms

4. Restoration of environmental quality in critically polluted areas

5. Monitoring of water and ambient air quality in the States

6. Hazardous waste

7. Bio-medical and Management of Municipal Solid Wastes

Ans: Ambient standards in respect of noise for different categories of areas (residential, commercial, industrial) and silence zones have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Noise limits have been prescribed for automobiles, domestic appliances and construction equipment at the manufacturing stage. Standards have been evolved and notified for the gen sets, fire crackers and coal mines. Regulatory agencies have been directed to enforce the standards for control and regulate noise pollution.

Ans: The Govt. of India has enacted noise standards for fire-crackers vide G.S.R.682(E), dated 5th October, 1999, in an effort to control noise pollution due to fire crackers Recently in March 2001, Central Pollution Control Board in association with National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Delhi initiated a study on measurement of noise levels of fire-crackers available in the market. The study indicates that 95% of the fire-crackers samples exceed the prescribed noise limits. Consequently, CPCB issued notice under Section 5, of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to the Department of Explosives, Nagpur, to take immediate steps to control manufacturing of fire-crackers exceeding the prescribed limits. All the State Pollution Control Boards/Committees were also requested to initiate steps to control sale of fire-crackers exceeding the notified limits, in consultation with their respective local administrations.

Ans: The Govt. of India has enacted Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 vide S.O.123(E), dated 14th February, 2000. The Rule deals with provisions to control noise pollution due to loud-speakers and public address system, as given below : Restriction on the use of loud speakers/utility address system :

1. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining written permission from the authority.

2. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used at night (between 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) except in closed premises for communication within e.g. auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.

Ans: The Central Pollution Control Board, in association with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, had developed systems for control of noise pollution from diesel generator sets as well as from petrol/kerosene generator sets. Based on this, the noise standards for diesel and petrol/kerosene generator sets have been developed and notified

Ans:

1. Aluminium Smelter

2. Pesticides

3. Caustic Soda

4. Petrochemicals

5. Cement

6. Drugs & Pharmaceuticals

7. Copper Smelter

8. Pulp & Paper

9. Distilleries

10. Oil Refineries

11. Dyes & Dye Intermediates

12. Sugar

13. Fertiliser

14. Thermal Power Plants

15. Integrated Iron & Steel

16. Zinc Smelter

17. Tanneries

Ans: The Pollution Control committee receive funds from the concerned State Governments and from the Central Ministry of Environment & Forests through reimbursement of Water Cess (upto 80%) collected by the respective State Boards/PCC. In addition, the PPCC receive fees for processing for applications from the industries for issuing consent in regard to discharge of effluent and emissions.

Ans: The important enforcement powers vested in PPCC are laying down standards and securing their compliance, inspection and monitoring of all sources of pollution, issuance of notices with time limit to comply with the legal requirements, closure of the defaulter unit in grave cases and prosecution in cases of serious violation.

Ans: Yes. If for serious violation of law, no action is taken by the authority, a citizen can approach the court of law after giving 60 days notice to PPCC.

Ans: Complaint about violator of pollution control laws can be brought to the notice of the Regional Office of PPCC, Head Office of PPCC at puducherry or to the State Government. There are certain matters in which the authority lies with the District Collector, Municipal Corporation Municipal local bodies and other authorities in terms of the laws they are implementing. In such cases, the right forum will be those authorities to deal with such matters.

Ans: Permission like consent and or Environmental Clearance or CRZ clearance need to be obtained before setting up of an industrial unit and Consent/Authorization are mandatory before starting of the production. Running a polluting industry without the mandatory clearances is an offence and such unit will be liable to face stringent actions like closure and prosecution. Clearances are given for stipulated period and they need to be renewed before the term expires. Activities like contaminating the land by illegal dumping of hazardous wastes will invite penal provisions like fine and restoration of the contaminated land at the cost of the polluter, in addition to other steps.

Ans: No. The laws stipulate that all development should be carried out with minimal occurrence of pollution. Technologies are available for controlling pollution as per the norms prescribed for different processes. Therefore, the perception that pollution is the price for securing fast development is erroneous. However, if necessary steps are not taken by the polluting unit, as per the principles laid down by the Honble Supreme Court of India, the polluter is required to pay the cost of pollution caused by him by not taking anti-pollution measures.

Ans: In simple terms, it means that the development process should be carried out in such a way that damage to environment is minimal. It also means that the present generation, should utilize the resources in such a manner that the ability of posterity to have quality of life is not undermined. It also means that irreversible damage to environment should not take place in the process of development and the natural resources are to be protected for future generations

Ans: The entire spectrum of laws and regulations which the PPCC is regulating has the aim of minimizing pollution and thereby securing sustainable development. It also advises and enforces measures for prevention of pollution by way of adoption of cleaner technologies and recycling and reuse of wastes. In grave situation, it acts to the extent of closing down the polluting unit which may damage the ecology in an irreversible fashion.

Ans: The entire spectrum of laws and regulations which the PPCC is regulating has the aim of minimizing pollution and thereby securing sustainable development. It also advises and enforces measures for prevention of pollution by way of adoption of cleaner technologies and recycling and reuse of wastes. In grave situation, it acts to the extent of closing down the polluting unit which may damage the ecology in an irreversible fashion.

Ans: PPCC is the chief regulator for a number of laws enacted and notified by the Government of India. However, it terms of other laws and also as implementing authority under environmental laws, authorities like District Magistrate, Govt. Departments like Home Department, Transport Department, Inspectorate of Factories, Health Dept., Local Bodies, Forests and Environment Dept., Civil Supplies Dept., Urban Development Dept., Industries Dept. etc. have also very important role to play in controlling pollution.

Ans: A citizen can do much by adopting a code of conduct for himself as per various Environmental Laws and Rules passed by the Central and State Governments to desist from all activity which may pollute the environment. He can also bring to the notice of the authorities including PPCC about the violation of laws meant to protect environment. He can also sensitize the neighborhood about the right practices for preventing the damage to environment through Neighborhood Associations, Voluntary Organizations etc. In extra-ordinary situation, citizens have the legal right to approach the Court of Law after giving 60 days notice to PPCC and other Government Departments including the violator/s in the prescribed format

Ans: The idea behind laying down standards is basically due to the realization that minimal pollution is rather inevitable in the production process. The environment has the capacity to absorb the minimal amount of pollution without any serious adverse impact. However, if this exceeds a certain limit, then the damage to environment cannot be avoided. The standards are fixed at the threshold, where the pollutants released by the production process do not lead to such a situation. In other words the standards are decided to contain the release of pollutant to the environment and thereby protect the overall quality of environment. In some cases, the standards are industry specific as well as location specific

Ans: The standards are prescribed by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, which are minimum uniform national standards, which can not be relaxed by any Authority including SPCBs/PCCs i.ePuducherry Pollution Control committee, which can prescribe more stringent standards than whatever laid down by the MoEF, GoI, taking into consideration the local conditions.

Ans: Standards are prescribed for following parameters: Water : pH, Colour, BOD, COD, Total Dissolved Solids, Temperature, Suspended Solids, Ammonical Nitrogen, Oil & Grease, Toxicants, Fluorides, Phenol, Cyanides, Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Bacteriology, Fical Coliforms and Fluorides. Air : Suspended Particulate Matters, SOx, NOx, HCl, Cl2Ammonia, RSPM, etc.standards are available in the CPCB, PPCC web page.

Ans: "End of the pipe treatment" connotes the present arrangements under which the industry is allowed to carry on with the production process and treat the waste as per the stipulated standards and dispose of the same..

Ans: The alternative is waste prevention and minimization, by implementing suitable sound technology for minimization of waste generation. Waste can be effectively segregated, recycled and reused so as to minimize the waste load.

Ans: Yes. It is a question of using the right process technology and other measures for waste prevention mentioned above. With the advancement of new process technologies and raw materials, there is steady improvement towards prevention of generation of waste in some industrial sectors. These processes, however, have not reached such a stage that complete prevention of waste generation by all industries is possible

Ans: Cleaner Technological options, ensuring mass balance, stochiometry and to improve the process with respect to yield, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation, solvent recovery, clarification, purification, use of waste as a raw material, waste exchange etc are some of the proven methods.

Ans: The law is applicable to all units irrespective of size. SSI units are eligible for few exemptions.

Ans: The setting up of common facilities like TSDF, CETP, CBWTF, pipelines etc. render it possible for units particularly for small unit to reduce the cost of treatment of waste because of economy of the scale in operation. Besides for every unit to set up all waste disposal requirements individually may not be possible due to shortage of land. This problem also can be resolved through common facilities, where small scale units to provide primary treatment only and for secondary treatment, it has to become a Member of CETP in cluster of industries.

Ans: The common facilities in the State are CBMWTF ( common bio medical waste treatment facility) for bio medical waste treatment and disposal.The details are placed on the Website of the Puducherry Pollution Control Board.

Ans: Puducherry Pollution Control Board as well as agreement with operator of the common facilities would be necessary for using the common facilities.

Ans: Monitoring of the industrial unit means sending out the monitoring teams comprised of skilled technical & scientific officers to verify the compliance of conditions imposed in NOC, Consent, Authorization etc. Monitoring includes performance evaluation of Environment Management System (EMS) in respect of Board's notices/directives and checking the compliance of Environmental Clearance conditions and that no violation of law takes place.

Ans: PPCC has set up mechanisms to analyze the reports received from the monitoring teams and the laboratory verifies the samples and also verifies the compliance of other techno-legal requirements that the unit has to comply with. Based upon the findings so arrived at enforcement measures are taken. In certain cases surprise checking are also carried out.

Ans: PPCC Charter for good governance aims at bringing about quality change in its working by making it a knowledge based organization to cope up with the new challenges through capacity building series, streamlining procedure and also fixing the accountability. It also aims at transparency in working and improving the services rendered by it quality-wise and time-wise.

Ans: PPCC is neither pro industry nor anti industry. It is a regulatory body which is performing its functions in accordance with the law for achieving the ultimate goal of sustainable development through effective environmental pollution control.

Ans:< PPCC attends to the complaints promptly by inspection, monitoring and verification through its Regional Offices or by sending special teams to visit the site and report back. Complaints can be lodged physically. Both written and oral complaints are attended on a priority basis.

Ans:Yes

Ans: Local Bodies are responsible for proper treatment and safe disposal of Municipal Solid Waste and sewerage as per the law and as per the standards laid down. They need to take consent of PPCC and run these facilities as per the norms laid down. They need to properly attend to the complaints from the public with regard to disposal of sewerage and solid waste. It should also make available space/land for Common Bio-Medical Treatment and Disposal Facility and ensure that within its jurisdiction, the shops and establishments and tiny activities are granted permission only after compliance of the Environmental Norms. For example : there should be integrated Slaughter House Management, Common Solid Waste Management, Bio-Medical Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management, Hotel Waste Management etc.

Ans: Sewage Treatment Plants and Solid Waste Disposal Facilities have to obtain the Consent/Authorization of the Board and the local bodies are mandated to run them according to the conditions laid down in Consent/Authorization, so as to comply with the Environmental Norms and to have less adverse effect on the environment.

Ans: About 16.

Ans: Yes. PPCC undertakes a variety of programmes for involving people across various groups like NGOs, National Green Cores, Eco Clubs, Schools, Colleges, Media, Industries Associations and also by giving press notes and paid advertisements in the news papers to sensitize all concerned. Public Hearings for Environmental Clearance provides an open stage for people's involvement in project clearance.

Ans: This can be done with Head Office.

Ans: Yes.

Ans: Yes. PPCC officers participate in several interaction sessions

Ans: No. In the cases falling under Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, the affected party can approach the District Collector for awarding compensation against the damages.

Ans: The policy of PPCC in this regard is as per the provisions contained in Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture & Usage) Rules, 2006. No plastic carry bag are allowed to manufacture below the thickness of 50 micron. These standards are more strengthen than the Central Rule "The Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999.".

Ans: Any person aggrieved by the order of Consent under Water/Air can file an appeal with the Appellate Authority constituted by the State Government against the authorization under the Hazardous Waste to the Secretary, Environment Deptt., Govt. of Puducherry, against the Authorization under the Bio-Medical Waste to the Honble State Environment Minister, Govt. of Puducherry and against the Assessment Order under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 before the Appellate Authority constituted by the Chairman, PPCC and in the case of Environmental Clearance of the Govt.of India, the aggrieved person can file the appeal with the National Environment Appellate Authority at the National Level.

Ans: Norms in this regard have been notified under the Motor Vehicles Act and the same are implemented by Transport Department.

Ans: Yes, subject to the provisions contained in Rules of the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling &Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008.

Ans: Yes. Normally all clearances are given within 4 months time

Ans: No such mechanism is developed but all the cases are treated on the fast track. Sometimes, PPCC had taken special drive in compliance of certain Honble Supreme Court of India and High Courts order, NGT etc.

Ans: The units which have got "ISO 14001" are provided incentives in terms of longer period of Consent/Authorization, reduction in the number of routine inspection and expeditious clearance of their renewal applications.