(Repeating corecting figure in Para one)

Chennai, July 3 (UNI) Madras High Court today ordered the reopening of 77 dyeing and bleaching units in Tirupur, provided they deposit a fine amount of Rs 70 lakh rpt Rs 70 lakh within two weeks.

A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice M Karpagavinayagam and Mr Justice K Nagappan passed the order when a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking to restrain the units from discharging effluent in to the Ooruthupalayam cam came up for hearing before it.

Originally, Angaripalayam common effluent treatment plant, which has 76 member units, had promised to pay 50 per cent of the Reverse Osmosis Plant by January 30, 2006. But they belatedly paid the amount and sought the permission to reopen the units.

Similarly, Renaissance Private Limited sought time for the completion of the Reverse Osmosis Plant by August 30, 2006.

The bench imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh and permitted the reopening on depositing the fine amount before the Coimbatore District Collector within two weeks.

The Bench had on April 27, 2006 ordered the closure of 150 units.

The Bench has now permitted reopening of 77 units. Further hearing of the case is posted for July seven.

UNI XR JJ ROY MSJ RN1817