SHIMLA:  Waking up from its slumber today, the state pollution regulator slapped notices on the Ultratech Cement Plant at Bagga in Solan for polluting the environment. 

The Ultratech cement plant has been getting a free runs the HP State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) did not initiate  any action till today, raising a big question mark on the functioning of the board. 

Despite the fact that pollution board found that the cement plant company had been violating the pollution norms under the provision of Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

But the regulator did not take action against the Ultratech company in this regard, revealed the sources.  

The spokesperson of the pollution control board informed here today that the board has issued show cause notices  the Ultratech cement company, Baga in district Solan for violation of pollution norms.

He said that stack emission monitoring of the unit of M/s Ultratech Cement Plant, Baga was conducted last year,

"It was found that the results of stack emission monitoring are not conforming to the prescribed standards".

"Thereafter, the regional office of HPSPCB issued notices to the unit to take corrective measures for smooth operation of APCDs to ensure compliance of environment standards'', he said.

Earlier, the results of stack emission monitoring of the unit was carried out at cement mill, raw mill and coal mill and found above the prescribed norms, he said. 

He added that action was initiated under various sections of the Act for violation of stack emission against the unit as well.

Despite the clear cut direction from National Green Tribunal (NGT)  that  SPCBs  should levy and recover environment compensation from violating units. But the state regulator did not act late when there was a change of government in the state, sources said. 

"The state gave several opportunities, but the unit was still not complying with the directions issued", spokesperson said. 

Now the HPSPCB has sought reply from the unit within 15 days as to why penal action should not be initiated against the unit. 

Why environmental compensation should not be imposed as per the directions of the NGT, said the spokesperson.

Even as Provisions of the Act attract fine up to Rs. 10,000 and imprisonment up to seven years or both, but the state regulator did not book the violators in the state.  

Yet in another case of its type, ambient air and stack emission monitoring of M/s Ultratech Cement Plant, Baga was conducted to check emissions.

The result of ambient air and stack emission was collected, which was not conforming to prescribed environmental standards, the regulator said. 

A show cause notice was issued for the non-compliance on the shortcomings.

He said that the unit was once again inspected for not arranging water sprinkling system in the plant area.  The dust emission was observed due to vehicle movement.

Besides, the sheet cover to the coal mill area was also not provided.