Beijing: A booming province in southern China has blacklisted 50 companies for failing to meet environmental standards and warned them that they would be ordered to halt production or closed down by the local government if they do not take corrective steps.

After reviewing 164 key polluting companies, the Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau has given "yellow or red warning cards" for failing to meet an environmental protection credit review, the provincial environmental watchdog said. The blacklisted companies, including breweries, sewage treatment and petrochemical companies, would be monitored and inspected more closely, official Xinhua news agency said.

Serious polluters must improve pollutant treatment facilities within a required period and those not falling in line would be ordered to halt production or be closed, the bureau said.

As per tightened rules, the country s securities regulator would also be advised not to clear stock market initial public offerings or the refinancing applications of offending firms, it said.

Source : PTI