Indore’s salty industry is in danger. Due to the order of the Pollution Control Board, industries will have to change their fuel, which will increase the production cost. Industrialists say that if the order is followed, they will have to close their factories.
By Lokesh Solanki
Published Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:59:55 AM (IST)
Updated Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:07:28 PM (IST)
HighLights
- CNG – Unilateral order to use PNG fuel.
- Industries received notice from the Regional Pollution Control Board.
- PNG is becoming three times more expensive than other fuels.
Lokesh Solanki, Naiduniya Indore. The salty industry that gives identity to Indore is feeling itself in danger. This situation has arisen due to the arbitrary orders of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board. Industries have been ordered to change the fuel they are using.
Stop using fuels like coal, bio coal and use only CNG-PNG. The unique thing is that the rules are being imposed only on the industries of Indore. Namkeen industry said that if the order is followed, either big industries will be closed or they will be forced to migrate from Indore.
Start using CNG yah LPG in six months
In the second and third week of December, the city’s industries received notices from the office of the Regional Pollution Control Board. Written instructions have been given to the industries to start using CNG, PNG or LPG within six months.
Also, prepare an action plan for making changes in your boiler and send it to the board within 15 days. The existing salty and confectionery industry uses coal or bio coal to manufacture its products.
PNG is becoming three times more expensive
Bio coal is actually a fuel made from stubble and agri waste. According to Madhya Pradesh Sweets and Namkeen Manufacturers and Sellers Association, it is not possible to run an industry with PNG. It is becoming three times more expensive than other fuels.
cost of production will increase
Madhya Pradesh government charges 14 percent VAT on PNG, for which tax credit is not even available. The availability of gas is less and it takes more fuel to achieve the required temperature. In such a situation, the cost of production of namkeen produced by the industries of Indore will increase.
After this, the industries here will not be able to compete not only with the industries of other states but also with the industries of Bhopal-Gwalior because they will start offering cheaper products than us.
There is no obligation on them regarding fuel. The pollution control department itself monitors the emissions from every industry. In industries, the department has already installed back filters and carbon collectors on the boilers.
20 thousand tons of salty food is being produced daily
According to the data of the Manufacturers Association, there are about 250 salty industries registered as medium and large industries in Indore. On an average, every industry is producing about 20 thousand tonnes of salty food every day.
not mandatory
Now the Regional Pollution Control Board seems to be taking a step back due to opposition from industries and questions being raised on the arbitrary order. On the question of issuing notice to the industries, Regional Officer of Pollution Control Board SN Dwivedi told Naiduniya that we have issued a letter to the industries and given suggestions.
He said that in this matter he has requested that it would be better if they consider other fuel options. It is not mandatory. Nor has any time limit been given that they will have to change the fuel.
No ban even in Delhi, ban imposed only here
Biofuel is a fuel made from agricultural waste such as stubble and garbage. It has got environment friendly status and is allowed to be used in factories of Delhi also. It is beyond comprehension to impose a ban only in Indore. We have been told to discontinue use within six months. The air quality of Gwalior-Bhopal is not better than ours, but there is no restriction on fuel there. – Anurag Bothra, Secretary, Sweets and Namkeen Manufacturers Association
Need to pay attention to pollution prevention equipment
Various filters and equipment can be installed in industries to prevent pollution. Attention should be paid to that. Restricting fuel cannot be an option. And how can there be different rules for any one city? Such big chips and namkeen factories where one to two thousand employees are working will also be on the verge of closure. We have put the matter before the Principal Secretary. – Yogesh Mehta, President, Association of Industries, Madhya Pradesh
