₹1.44 Crore Penalty Imposed on Pune Rubber Company for Environmental Violations

₹1.44 Crore Penalty Suggested for Pune Rubber Firm for Environmental Harm
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has suggested a penalty of ₹1.44 crore against a rubber factory in Talegaon Dabhade for environmental harm associated with carbon emissions. The suggestion was made in an affidavit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on April 22, 2023, and the matter is still pending the final order.

The problem had been exposed in 2022 when a complaint was filed before the NGT by local cattle owner Mahendra Hasabnis. Hasabnis had stated that the carbon emissions released from the rubber producing plant were at fault for having killed his cattle. His complaint pointed towards the suspected effect the emissions had had on his herd, and due to this he demanded action to be taken against the company.

In Hasabnis’s complaint, the NGT filed a case and ordered the MPCB to inspect the plant and inquire into the allegations. The tribunal also ordered the board to ascertain the proper environmental damage compensation (EDC) amount.

As per the NGT’s guidelines, the MPCB carried out an inspection of the firm and detailed its findings in a reply affidavit. As per Babasaheb Kukade, the MPCB’s sub-regional officer, the proposed ₹1.44 crore penalty has been determined by taking into consideration a number of factors, including the industrial sector’s pollution index, the duration for which environmental regulations were violated, the extent of the firm’s operations, and the area in which it operates.

“Amount of EDC has been finalized at ₹14,460,937.5,” Kukade said. But J S Salunkhe, MPCB regional officer, said that more information could not be shared as the issue is still pending before the NGT.

Hasabnis went on to detail the damages he has incurred, saying he has lost almost 85 cattle since 2019. He has presented post-mortem reports for at least eight of them, which verify that their deaths were associated with carbon emissions. Owing to a variety of difficulties, including the COVID-19 pandemic, he was not able to present additional proof concerning the rest of the cases. Hasabnis added that a number of trees around the area have also been affected by the emissions.

I have been bringing this issue for quite some time, but the authorities ignored it, and that prompted me to approach the NGT with a complaint,” said Hasabnis. Though he welcomed the fact that the issue of carbon emissions is now being taken up, he insisted that there must be compensation for the loss suffered, which was ₹3.5 crore.”.

While the case waits for a ruling from the NGT, Hasabnis is optimistic that justice will prevail. Efforts to contact officials of the Talegaon Dabhade-headquartered company for comments were futile, as they were said to be unavailable.

The progress in this case highlights continued fears regarding environmental regulation and industrial responsibility in the region.