Individual dyeing unit need not file application: HC

Chennai, Feb 8 (PTI) The Madras High Court today saidindividual bleaching and dyeing units of Tiruppur should notapproach it seeking exemption from its earlier order whichsaid complete closure of all units which violated zero liquiddicharge.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y.Eqbal andT.S.Sivagnanam had on January 28 ordered immediate closure ofall bleaching and dyeing units in the hosiery hub of Tirupurfor continued discharge of efluents into a river in violationof its orders and that of the Supreme Court.

The order was passed on a contempt petition filed by

NoyyalRiver Ayacutdars Protection Association for not following theDecember 22, 2006 directives of a Division Bench.

The bench ahd also directed TNPCB to initiate criminalprosecution against units which continued to cause pollutionby flouting the court orders and conditions stipulated by theboard despite a showcause notice.

Allwyn Textile Processing Mills, Karaipadur village inTirupur has approached the High Court seeking exemption fromthe order, stating that it had been strictly adhering to TNPCBnorms, procedures and guidelines.

The company had installed the most modern effluent treatmentplant and achieved zero liquid discharge (ZLD) which soughtto exempt it from the order and direct the authorities topermit to run the unit.

The bench today said the mill could approach Tamil NaduPollution Control Board (TNPCB) individually by filingsuitable applications for inspecting their units and fortaking a decision in the matter.

The Bench its order reiterated its earlier direction thatthose units who have fulfilled all the conditions,it would beopen to TNPCB to issue orders of consent to operate and suchunits should be continuously and closely monitored to ensurestrict compliance of the orders.