The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : PCB fiat to bone processing units

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 05, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

PCB fiat to bone processing units

Staff Reporter

Check effluent discharge in 3 months

KOCHI: The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) will close down bone-processing units in Eloor and Edayar industrial region if they fail to check discharge of effluents into the Periyar within three months. These units have been asked to take immediate measures for improving the conditions of workers within this timeframe.

The Board's decision to act against erring companies comes in the wake of a directive given by the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on Hazardous Wastes. In its report submitted to the Government, the committee has said that the bone-processing units are not operated properly, with stench from rotten meat affecting people in the neighbourhood.

"The condition of the workers is worse. Members of the Local Area Environment Committee (LAEC) had informed the committee that the workers were having their meals in the midst of the units surrounded with colonies of maggots. The effluent from these units is doubtless going into the Periyar," says the report. The committee has observed that such a situation cannot be tolerated in a place that has received the label of "God's own country." The Board and the LAEC have been asked to ensure that all the managers of the units are called for a meeting where they will commit to good practice.

The SCMC has also suggested that no human being should be forced to work in such units. It has agreed to provide technical solutions for improving the present condition of the units. The companies can approach experts in the field for introducing proper technology for checking the foul smell. These units should also file a report before the LAEC on the steps taken during the allotted period of three months.

During a recent visit, the committee asked bone-processing units to take steps for checking foul smell emanating from the companies. Representatives of the units had held discussions with SCMC members on the issue. These units have also been asked to file a report before the LAEC on the steps taken during the allotted period of three months.

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