The Hindu Business Line : Get tough with polluting units, Reddy tells PCB

Directing the PCB, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy asked the officials to "mercilessly exercise its authority" and shut down the pollutant units.

At a review meeting, he favoured cancellation of licences of industries if they failed in taking adequate pollution control measures.

He, however, cautioned the officials not to harass the industry in the name of checking pollution.

Mr Rajeswar Tiwari, Member-Secretary of the Board, informed the Chief Minister that 47 industries were closed, while keeping up 244 for legal hearing during 2004-05.

Ten industries were directed to stop production and 187 were issued directions.

Up to December 31, 2004, as many as 4,301 industries had complied with PCB norms as against a target of 3,673.

The PCB officials said Hyderabad was among the cities kept under the Supreme Court scanner. A group of ministers constituted to monitor the implementation of the action plan submitted to the apex court.

Detailing measures taken to check pollution, the officials said an action plan seeking to phase out commercial vehicles aged more than 15 years and introduce alternative fuels like LPG was introduced.

Three task forces, covering Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Medak, had been formed to look into public grievances.

The officials said the Charminar-Kukatpally zone had been identified as a `Red Corridor' zone in terms of high pollution levels.

US envoy meets CM: The US Ambassador, Mr David Mulford today called on Mr Reddy here. The 30-minute breakfast meeting was termed by officials as a courtesy call.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister explained to the visiting Ambassador about developmental initiatives undertaken by his government in various sectors.

CCC plea: The Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC), an NGO, has urged the State Government and naxal outfits to exercise restraint and create a conducive atmosphere for peace talks.

The organisation also called upon the government to stop encounters and other offensive actions and urged the revolutionary parties to desist from any killings, mine blasts and other acts of violence, a statement issued here said.

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