7 hrs ago
Pawan Kalyan Orders Action Against Andhra Paper Over Pollution
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan says a paper mill in Rajamahendravaram may be polluting the area.
He says the mill produces about half of the city’s liquid waste.
Tests reportedly found some pollution measurements above permitted limits.
This could lower oxygen in the water and harm fish and other aquatic life.
Officials also say the mill owes local taxes to two local bodies.
The alleged unpaid taxes total ₹21.34 crore and date from 2016.
The government gave the company three months to correct the alleged problems.
Pawan Kalyan has now ordered officials to issue summons and take further action.
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan directed the Pollution Control Board to act against Andhra Paper Limited.
He alleged the Rajamahendravaram mill generated nearly half the city’s liquid waste and owed local bodies ₹21.34 crore in taxes.
The company’s alleged tax dues to Katheeru Gram Panchayat and Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation date from 2016.
Tests from the mill’s discharge lagoons reportedly found BOD, phosphate and sulphide levels above prescribed limits.
After show-cause notices and three months for corrective measures, officials were ordered to issue summons and pursue further action.
- Who
- Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, the Pollution Control Board and Andhra Paper Limited.
- What
- The Pollution Control Board was directed to take action over alleged pollution violations and unpaid local taxes.
- Where
- Andhra Paper’s mill in Rajamahendravaram, with alleged effects involving local bodies and the Godavari ecosystem.
- When
- Friday; the articles say the alleged tax dues date from 2016 and that the company was given three months to make corrections.
- Why
- Pawan Kalyan alleged that the mill exceeded pollution standards, threatened water quality and public health, and had not paid ₹21.34 crore in local taxes.
Government allegations and enforcement
Company response not provided
Pollution responsibility
Government allegations and enforcement
Pawan Kalyan alleged that Andhra Paper Limited accounted for nearly half of Rajamahendravaram’s liquid waste and that samples from its discharge lagoons exceeded permitted pollution limits.
Company response not provided
The articles do not include a response from Andhra Paper Limited to the pollution allegations.
Tax dues
Government allegations and enforcement
Pawan Kalyan alleged that the company had not paid local taxes to Katheeru Gram Panchayat and Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation since 2016, with dues of ₹21.34 crore.
Company response not provided
The articles do not provide Andhra Paper Limited’s explanation regarding the alleged tax dues or its reported court challenges.
Government response
Government allegations and enforcement
The government initially issued show-cause notices and allowed three months for corrective measures, then ordered summons and further action after alleging there was no satisfactory response.
Company response not provided
The articles do not state the company’s position on the notices, discussions or proposed enforcement measures.
Key facts
- Alleged tax dues
- ₹21.34 crore
- Tax period cited
- Since 2016
- City liquid waste
- Approximately 70 million litres per day
- Mill’s reported share
- Approximately 35 million litres per day
- BOD result
- 36 mg/litre, described as 20% above the prescribed limit
- Phosphate result
- 5.3 mg/litre, described as 6% above the prescribed limit
- Sulphide result
- 3.4 mg/litre, described as 70% above Central Pollution Control Board standards
Sources
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