Rao Narbir Singh directs HSPCB to launch special polythene awareness campaign and accelerate CETP/STP projects in Haryana.

Rao Narbir Singh, the Haryana Environment Minister, stated that even though the state has prohibited the production and use of plastic polythene since 2013, its continuous use has turned into a significant source of pollution. In order to inform the people about the detrimental consequences of polythene, he gave officers of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) instructions to start a thorough special awareness campaign.

According to him, this campaign should also guarantee the active involvement of the departments of Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Water Resources, Industries and Commerce, and Urban Local Bodies. The Minister ordered that the campaign start in metropolitan areas and that a thorough action plan be created and delivered within a month.

At his office here today, Rao Narbir Singh presided over a review meeting on the operations of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). Vineet Garg, the chairman of the HSPCB, several chief secretaries, and the appointed nodal officers from the relevant departments were present at the meeting.

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The Environment Minister ordered the Pollution Control Board’s regional officers to conduct in-person inspections of industrial facilities. He instructed the relevant regional officer to raise all concerns at immediately when applications for NOCs or the establishment of industries are received through the online portal. Industrial enterprises are harassed and forced to visit the Board several times when objections are raised repeatedly. Under no circumstances should such situations continue.

He ordered that work on CETPs and STPs be accelerated because he was concerned about the discharge from large industrial drains. Additionally, he gave explicit instructions to give STPs in Rewari, Bawal, and Dharuhera particular attention.

According to the Minister, there are waterlogging issues in about 25–26 communities close to the Masani Barrage. He gave the irrigation department instructions to create a plan for channeling the water into the river that flows into Rajasthan and draining it through pipelines. Reusing the cleaned water for farming is a good idea. Farmers in the Khol and Bawal blocks would profit immensely from this, and it will also significantly alleviate the canal water scarcity.

Rao Narbir Singh clarified that regional authorities must physically check the site even prior to the Red, Orange, and Green category industries’ licenses being renewed. Under no circumstances will it be acceptable to complete office procedures through middlemen.

Yogesh Kumar, the Member Secretary of the HSPCB, gave the Minister assurances during the meeting that he will personally visit STPs in Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar, and Gurugram during the upcoming week. He also promised to arrange review meetings with the relevant regional authorities.