Decision regarding legal action against Spectrum Ethers tomorrow: Co

Nashik, Aug 22 (UNI) District Collector S Chokkalingam today said the administration will take a decision tomorrow regarding legal action to be initiated against Spectrum Ethers Ltd for water pollution.

''According to the reports of the Pollution Control Laboratory in Mumbai and Pune Laboratory, a chemical substance 'Organophosperic Pesticide' was found in the water below detection level (0.001 PPM).

As far as the district administration's action is concerned, a notice has been issued by Nashik Sub-Judicial Magistrate to the company under section 133 of CrPC for public nuisance. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued notice to close the company. It has been closed. The MPCB has informed its Legal Cell about the issue and decision regarding legal action against the company for negligence is expected till tomorrow,'' District Collector S Chokkalingam said in a press meet here.

According to today's report of the treated water, clearance was given to five water treatment centres -- Defence, Mohadi, Vinchur, Niphad and Lasalgaon -- to use water for drinking purpose. No such clearance has been given to other places as there are still traces of the chemical in raw water. Instructions have also been given to the Ahmednagar district collector regarding this issue. Notice has been issued to the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to cut off the electricity supply to the company. The supply to the production unit will be cut off tomorrow whereas the supply to the waste treatment plant will continue, he added.

It may be recalled that on August 13, chemical waste from a company in Rasegaon village in Dindori taluka of the district had diluted with rain water in the Palkhed dam resulting in the deaths of large number of fish and odour to the water. Following this, some water from the dam was released to lessen the contamination effect.

Later, the district administration cut off water supply to nearly 20 villages in the area and gave instructions to people to use water from wells, bore wells and tankers for drinking purpose.

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