Orissa moves against Oswal over pollution

The Orissa government has ordered the institution of criminal proceedings against the Oswal Chemical and Fertiliser Ltd at Paradip following complains of leakage of harmful gas from the company's DAP plant.

The toxic gas and other effluents released from plant are reported to have damaged crops over a large area and affected human life and live stock in villages around the plant.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the matter at a high level meeting here has issued the direction for start of criminal proceedings against the company, said energy and environment minister Suryanarayan Patra.

He said, Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPBC) will file a case under Air Act of the Environment Act. An FIR will also be filed against the company after consulting the law department, he added.

Besides, OSPCB has been asked to send a boiler engineer to probe into the reasons behind the gas leak and submit a report.

Patra said, leakage of sulphur dioxide gas from the sulphuric acid plant of the company on September 21 and 22 last had led to damage of crop in an area of over 3850 hectare in 62 villages under eight panchayats under Mahakalpada block of Kendrapara district.

The minister who visited the area on the instruction of the chief minister said that the government had already directed the company to shut down the sulphuric acid plant and the company has complied with the order.

A team of experts from the Central Rice research Institute (CRRI) at Cuttack comprising a senior agronomist, entomologist and plant pathologist had also visited the affected area and had submitted their report to the government.

Apart from damage to the paddy crop, people in the affected villages have complained about intense irritation in their eyes, he said, adding two eye specialists have also been deputed by the government to the area.

Pointing out that the plant authorities were supposed to inform the state pollution control board, district and other local authorities in case of any gas leak or mishap, the minister said the Oswal authorities had not done this so far.

Meanwhile, the agriculture department had been asked to set up a team comprising its own officials, experts from the CRRI and other personnel to make assessment of the total quantum of crop loss and submit report within 15 days. The district collector has been instructed to make a list of the affected people.