The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to initiate appropriate action against the Hindalco Industries limited for fluoride emission from its plant at Hirakud causing damage to crops.
The commission ordered the OSPCB to initiate action within eight weeks while responding to a complaint filed by rights activist Akhand. The petitioner has stated that every year standing crops on thousands of acres of land in villages on the periphery of the plant are damaged due to fluoride emission.