Nashik, Jan 9 (KNN) Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has slapped closure notice to as many as 48 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for violation of norms like not seeking permission, not having effluent treatment plants etc.

While talking to KNN, a senior official of MPCB said, “Whatever actions have been taken, are based on two aspects, one is those who don’t have clearances and second is lack of legal ownership of the lands.”

As the decision on these industries is still pending, MPCB official said that the industries need to comply with these norms only then the board will consider their appeal.

“I don’t think that board will consider them unless they comply with these things. They have to obtain the consent of the board, should obtain the legal entitlement of the land and the effluent treatment, only after that the Board will consider,” said the official.

The industries were closed down on December 3, 2016.

A report has been sent to the MPCB head office in Mumbai and the decision on these industries is still pending.

The Bombay High Court had ordered industries to install a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) more than three years ago. In a meeting in August 2016, member secretary of MPCB had asked the regional office to conduct a survey to find out the erring industries.

According to the officials of MPCB, the connections of water supply and electricity of these 48 industries have been cut off. Since Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) ETP is not financially feasible for these industries, Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) has been suggested for small scale industries. Metals do not get treated through primary treatment which leads to possibility of ground water pollution. (KNN/RAS)