Differences between representatives of sponge iron industry and Government came to the fore in a workshop incidentally called for discussing environmental concerns posed by sponge iron units, its remedies and role of Government as a facilitator to the industry.
The representatives drew the first blood by accusing the government of squeezing the breathing space for the industry and raising their cost of operation without weighing its long term impact on the survival of the industry. Raising voice on behalf of the industry GS Salooja said, “Investments made to meet pollution norms are too high and cannot be recovered. It is rather a source of continuous expenditure.”
Salooja rued lack of finance for installing pollution controlling mechanism and requested Industry department to help in obtaining funds besides leasing out coal mines to the producers of sponge iron. Hitting back at the owners of sponge iron units Secretary Industry AP Singh said, “Forget smaller units, even units with capacity of 100 or 300 tonnes per day cannot procure license to operate a coal mine.”
Upping the ante on the owners of sponge iron units, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) Chairman Mani Shankar refused to buy any excuses for not following environmental standards for operating such units. In a flurry of accusations Shankar stripped owners of iron units for wilfully ignoring environmental concerns. “I had to order closure of one sponge iron unit in Giridih. Pollutants emanating from it caused blindness in children living in adjoining area. It was brazenly flouting standards set to control pollution,” added Shankar.
Stressing on need for a clean environment alongwith a flourishing industry in Jharkhand, Minister Annapur-na Devi said, “We are ready to provide help to the industry. If the State government can help the industry it will definitely do so and if necessary we will discuss the matter with the central government as well.” Devi requested industry representatives to exhibit concern for environment the way they are concerned about their business.