Uttarakhand firms in motion again

The industrial process in Uttarakhand appears to have gained momentum again, a month after the Supreme Court vacated its stay over the issuance of no objection certificate (NOCs) by the state pollution control board.

In past one month, the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) has taken up nearly 600 cases related to various industries, disposing about 200 of them in the process.

At least 160 new industries have been issued NOCs, confirmed top officials of the state pollution control board here.

"The processing of various cases is continuing," said Vijay Kumar, member secretary, UEPPCB.

Some of the cases related to affluent treatment plants and other vexed issues have been referred to the Central Pollution Control Board. "We have set a deadline of Sept 30 to clear all pending cases," said Kumar.

Among those which have been given "consent to establish" NOCs include Lucas TVS, Sundram Fasteners and Jai Gears. Tata Motors and Neel Metals companies have been given the NOCs in the category of "consent to operate".

The Supreme Court had last month allowed the state government to grant NOCs to the firms for setting up new units as well as production in accordance with environment laws.

Both the state government and the industry had sought vacation of the stay order, restraining the state pollution control board to issue NOCs to the industry.

According to an estimate by the government, the new industries can create more than two lakh jobs in the state.