Despite the change of guard at the Centre, Narendra Modi-led Union Government has rejected Gujarat's demand to lift the moratorium on some of the big industrial clusters.
Ironically, Narendra Modi as Chief Minister of Gujarat had strongly objected to the decision of the Congress-led UPA Government in the year 2010 for the moratorium on Ankleshwar, Vatva and Vapi industrial clusters which were considered as critically polluted. Because of the moratorium in force, permissions for the new industrial units in these clusters have been put on hold. Besides, expansions of existing industrial units have also been banned.
Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCP) had sent the proposal to lift the moratorium and requested the Centre to allow industries to discharge 500 mgl effluent in deep sea against current norm of 250 mgl Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) for discharge on land to protect immediate local surrounding. According to GPCB, the industries in these clusters have complied with norms set by the Central Government appointed monitoring agency and passed through scrutiny procedures.
A senior official with Forest & Environment department claimed that the situation around Yamuna is more critical than that of Gujarat's industrial clusters, but there has been no ban there. "It is because of the insensitivity of some bureaucrats towards Gujarat, the demand has been rejected that too after the change of Government in Delhi," he continued.
Norms should be across the country, if there is no moratorium in Delhi, why the MoEF has put restriction on industries in Gujarat, he said, adding that because of such decision, industrial development in the State will be affected adversely. Not only officials but many in the industry sector were hoping for lifting of moratorium after Modi took over as the Prime Minister as his Government in Gujarat was constantly following with the concerned Ministry since the year 2010.