Raipur: Chhattisgarh government today said it has directed closure of one factory and issued notices to ten others from the power, steel and iron sectors for not adhering to the pollution control norms.

The government ordered the closure of Mahamaya Sponge Iron factory in Siltara area of Raipur district after a team of officials found non-functional pollution checking equipments during a surprise visit, State Pollution Control Board officials told PTI here.

A notice was also issued to ten other sponge iron, steel and power producing units of Siltara, Borjhara and Urla industrial areas of Raipur district.

For the first time action has been initiated against so many industrial plants although the issue of pollution was raised even by the ruling BJP MLAs in the assembly.

Governor E S L Narasimhan had also directed the raid of some polluting factories recently.

This was also the first occasion when the Environment Secretary inspected any such plant and recommended action against them, the officials said referring to the inspection by the new Environment Secretary, N Baijendra Kumar.

"The State government would no longer tolerate any one involved in polluting air, water or land and strong action would be initiated against them," the officials said. Action against the eleven industrial plants is a warning for rest of the polluting industries, they added.
Source : PTI