TN: Dyeing factory moves HC against TNPCB

Chennai, Feb 10: Madras High Court today asked Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to file a counter by tomorrow to a plea by Tirupur Dyeing Factory Owners Association seeking a direction to the authorities to restore power connection to those units which installed reverse osmosis in their units.

The Court had earlier ordered immediate closure of all bleaching and dyeing units in the hosiery hub of Tirupur for continued discharge of effluents into a river in violation of its orders and that of the Supreme Court and disconnect power to the units.

The association filed an application before the Court seeking to restore power to the plants which was disconnected after the court order.

In its application, the association said the pollution control board disconnected power connection to all integrated effluent treatment plants and RO plants.

When the matter came before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivgnanam, senior counsel V Prakash contended that the units have established RO plants and it is essential to have power for maintaining RO membranes as well as the bacterial tank continuously to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge and for the safety of the premises, power connection was essential for the dyeing/bleaching industries.

Meanwhile, following an application from Classic Knitwear Processors to run its unit which claimed that it has achieved Zero Liquid Discharge already, the Court ordered TNPCB to allow the unit to commence its activities after obtaining the status report from the Board.

The Bench also reiterated its earlier order that it was for the board to make necessary inspection and permit the units to recommence its activities only it was satisfied that the unit complied with all statutory as well as other conditions imposed in the order in the contempt petition.

PTI