New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Ltd and regional Pollution Control Board (PCB) are at loggerheads over disconnection of electricity at 53 small scale industries, which were found violating pollution norms.

The PCB had ordered for disconnection of electricity at 53 industries after they were found flouting pollution norms. The board also sent reminders to discom directing it to cut their power supply in past six months. The instruction was given under Section 31A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Section 33A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. But, until now, it has not disconnected their supply.

PCB spokesperson scientist Sunil Vyas said, “Disconnecting of electricity at 53 industries is pending. We have submitted the list to discom to temporary power cut of these firms. This is a regular exercise for compliance of law.”

Most of the industries are operating from Sanwer Road and near banks of Kanh river. They are engaged in production of soaps, chemicals and textile products.

The discom superintendent engineer Subroto Roy said, “Whenever we get request for disconnection from PCB, we issue directives to our officials to cut power supply and as of now there are no pending cases.

The order for disconnection is issued when defaulter fails to respond to four notices and a copy of the order is sent to discom as well, according to the PCB.

Vyas said, “Industry is a dynamic activity. We cannot stop it for forever, but as punishment we order temporary disconnection and resume once they implement things mandatory for compliance.”

After disconnection owner of the property again comes with a letter from the PCB to resume connection, which is a very tedious process, a discom official said.