Bargarh: The State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) issued show-cause notices to four rice mills in this district in a span of five days, charging them with violating pollution norms.
The owners of the rice mills have been directed to report to the board within 12 days of receiving the notice.
The notices were served on the orders of Sambalpur OSPCB officer HH Nayak.
“The notices have been served as they have been violating pollution norms,” Nayak said. At least 25 rice mills are said to have been served notices in the last six months, according to sources.
The four rice mills are Sri Sai Food Production at Banipali under Bheden block, Padmini Rice Mills at Dumberpali under Atabira police limits, Sri Krishna Food Production at Dhanger under Bargarh block and Utkal Rice and Flour Mill at Guchapali under Padmapur block.
According to the notice, Sri Sai Food Production was set up in 2013 and was served with a term period till March 31, 2020 by OSPCB. However, the rice mill is allegedly not complying with norms framed by OSPCB.
The matter came to light after a central inspection coordination group (CICG) visited the rice mill and conducted a raid. The raid was conducted by officials under the leadership of Ramani Ranjan Dash. The central team prepared a report according to the raid and produced it before the OSPCB. Meanwhile, the rice mill authorities reportedly refused to sign on the report prepared by the team, it was learnt.
The expert team said an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) is defunct adding that the mills did not deposit the water cess return form on time.
Similarly, another notice was served on Sri Krishna Foods owner Rabindra Kumar Panasari after the CICG team conducted a raid December 6. The team said the mill was flouting pollution norms following which the notice was served. The mill was set up in 2010 with a permit till March 31, 2020. However, the mill reportedly flouted the norms and did not file water cess return forms on time with no green cover facility at the mills.
Similarly, Utkal Rice and Flour owner Kamal Kishore Agarwal was served a notice and was directed to report within 10 days of receiving the notice. All the rice mills were directed to file reports at Sambalpur OSPCB office, sources said. PNN
