Don’t seal boilers: FICO to PPCB chief

Ludhiana: The Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) claimed that the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)’s order on sealing of boilers of about 80 dyeing and allied factories for violation of environmental norms had jeopardised the working of thousands of textile and garment factories. The association demanded immediate reversal of the decision. The members also decided to approach the PPCB chairman to seek his intervention in the matter.
FICO president Gurmeet Singh Kular said, “Three days ago, PPCB Ludhiana ordered sealing of boilers of about 80 dyeing and allied factories, who are member of the 40 MLD common effluent treatment plant (CETP), Focal Point. Ever since the announcement, the dyeing units concerned have halted their operations as they can’t carry on production without boilers.”

“This is a very big setback for the industry and we are going to meet PPCB chairman soon to urge him to review these orders,” he added.
The order has affected the working of a significant number of textile and garment units, which were getting the dyeing process done from the penalised units.
“The entire supply chain of hundreds of textile and garment units has been disrupted and processes including yarn-making, knitting, weaving, and garmenting have been hit due to the sudden cessation of operations of dyeing units,” added Kular.
The industrialists rued that the decision will also lead to huge financial losses for the dyeing units and the textile and garment units associated with them.
FICO general secretary Rajeev Jain, “The PPCB orders will have a long-term effect on the textile and hosiery industry, which is already struggling. Every single day of disruption in the production is going to cost us dearly.”
Industrialist KK Seth said, “We urge the PPCB and the state government to review the orders and give one last chance to the dyeing units. We assure the government and departments concerned that the industry will adhere to every rule and regulation framed by the PPCB.”