The Hindu Business Line : TN foundry units want to be out of `red category'

THE foundry sector is peeved that it is still being included in the `red category' even as many other `highly polluting' sectors have been excluded from seeking clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for investment up to a certain limit.

The industry argued that foundry units have complied with the regulations imposed by the pollution control board for controlling emission and they pose no threat to the environment.

In a memorandum to Mr A. Raja, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr C. R. Swaminathan, President, Southern India Engineering Manufacturers' Association (SIEMA), Coimbatore, said there are more than 600 foundry units in Coimbatore, providing jobs to about 1.5 lakh persons. When the pollution control norms were introduced in the country, the foundry sector was clubbed with other polluting industries. To comply with the emission control norms, the foundry units installed the requisite equipments.

Through two separate notifications issued in 1994 and 2001, the Ministry of Environment and Forests listed 16 categories of industries for relaxation. They were exempted from obtaining the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance if the investment is less than Rs 100 crore for new projects and Rs 50 crore in the case of modernisation and expansion.

He asked the Minister to remove the foundry industry from the list of highly polluting industries and exempt it from EIA requirements. While their emission levels are within norms, the foundries did not let out any effluent, he said.

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