The Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB) has discovered irregularities in its Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat counterparts with respect to 4 plastic waste processor models positioned in these states and has directed them to take motion towards them for violating prolonged producer accountability (EPR) pointers. The penalty imposed on the companies collectively is greater than Rs 355 crore.
Whereas the audits have been held in August and September, the CPCB wrote to the state air pollution management boards on October 26.
Karnataka
In a directive issued to the Karnataka State Air pollution Management Board (KSPCB) on October 26, CPCB Chairman Tanmay Kumar mentioned that in random auditing of M/s Enviro Recyclean Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, performed by the CPCB on August 30 this 12 months, it was noticed that EPR certificates of the worth of three,50,000 tonnes have been generated by the unit whereas it has neither the processing capability for the mentioned amount nor related prescribed supporting paperwork or info for a similar.
“The unit has obtained registration and generated the mentioned EPR certificates of 350,000 tonnes with none precise processing of plastic waste on the unit and by submitting false paperwork/info, which is in gross violation of provisions of EPR Tips,” the doc accessed by The Indian Specific states.
The letter additional provides that as per the audit staff’s observations, “one double shredder machine (handbook feeding to shredder), 4 washers (two washers in collection), two driers, one agglomerator and one extruder machine have been put in within the plant however the identical weren’t in operation as electrical energy and water connection had not been supplied to the plant equipment”. “…electrical and civil works have been in progress through the audit,” it provides.
Throughout the auditing, the unit is alleged to haven’t carried out or demonstrated a trial run to evaluate the processing capability. “Additional, the equipment positioned within the plant shouldn’t be in conformity with the plant equipment declared within the software kind. The plant equipment similar to the registered capability of 350,000 TPA was not discovered to be put in/commissioned within the unit by the audit staff,” the CPCB letter mentioned.
The CPCB mentioned that portions talked about within the invoices uploaded on the EPR portal by the unit are fallacious and no related info relating to the procurement of plastic waste and sale of recycled plastic was made obtainable to the auditing staff to confirm the processing of 350,000 tonnes of plastic waste and sale of corresponding amount of completed product.
Furthermore, the auditing staff additionally mentioned that the geotagged pictures/video of the plant uploaded with the applying aren’t in conformity with the precise observations through the audit, indicating that fabricated pictures had been uploaded with the applying.
The CPCB additionally acknowledged that these observations weren’t made by the KSPCB.
The CPCB mentioned that consent to determine (February 27, 2023) and consent to function (March 7, 2023) have been granted by the KSPCB in fast succession inside a spot of seven days. “It’s not clear as to how the unit, which is a large-scale unit, was established inside seven days’ time. It was additionally noticed that the rental settlement of the unit was signed solely on February 1, 2023. Although the Effluent Therapy Plant (ETP) of the plant was discovered to be beneath development through the audit, the Consent to Function (CTO) was granted to the Unit by KSPCB,” the CPCB mentioned.
“The method of technology of EPR certificates by the unit was additionally not monitored by KSPCB, regardless of being the implementing company,” the CPCB mentioned.
The central board has now directed the KSPCB to conduct an in depth enquiry into the issuance of CTE and CTO and take motion towards the erring officers. The CPCB has additionally sought the suspension of consent given to the corporate. A superb of Rs 175 crore has been levied on the corporate.
Gujarat
Throughout its audit, the CPCB discovered that EPR certificates of the worth of 11,482 tonnes have been generated by M/s Asha Recyclean India Personal Ltd, registered with the Gujarat State Air pollution Management Board (GPCB), in extra of its precise processing capability. The CPCB mentioned that the unit neither has processing capability for the mentioned amount nor related prescribed supporting paperwork or info.
“The unit has obtained registration and generated the mentioned EPR certificates of 11,482 tonnes with none precise processing of plastic waste on the unit and by submitting false paperwork/info, which is in gross violation of provisions of EPR pointers. The method of technology of EPR certificates by the unit was additionally not monitored by GPCB. Solely 8 staff have been obtainable within the unit as towards 30 reported within the software kind,” the CPCB mentioned.
A superb of Rs 6 crore has been levied on the corporate and the GPCB has been directed to take motion towards the board officers and droop the consent given to Asha Recyclean India Personal Ltd.
Maharashtra
Situated in Maharashtra’s Palghar, M/s Shakti Plastics Industries generated EPR certificates of the order of two,56,240 tonnes, in extra of its precise processing capability of 17,760 TPA, despite the fact that the plant has not commenced its operation, the CPCB audit discovered. Solely 40 staff have been obtainable within the unit as towards 125 reported within the software kind. The unit obtained registration and generated the mentioned EPR certificates with none precise processing of plastic waste on the unit and by submitting false paperwork or info, the audit discovered. A superb of Rs 128.12 crore has been levied on the unit.
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One other plastic waste processor, Technova Recycling India Pvt Ltd in Thane, has generated EPR certificates to the order of 92,500 tonnes however the identical couldn’t be verified by the audit staff as no related paperwork and statements associated to sale or cost of taxes might be produced by the unit, the CPCB identified.
“Solely six staff have been obtainable within the unit as towards 30 reported within the software kind. In view of the above, it’s noticed that EPR certificates of the worth of 92,500 tonnes have been generated by the unit in extra of its precise processing capability (4,700 TPA) and the unit neither has processing capability for the mentioned amount nor related prescribed supporting paperwork/info for a similar. The unit has obtained registration and generated the mentioned EPR certificates of 92,500 tonnes with none precise processing of plastic waste on the unit and by submitting false paperwork/info,” CPCB mentioned.
A penalty of Rs 46.25 crore was imposed on the models.
