Committee on Environment of J&K Legislative Assembly today asked Industries and Commerce department to strictly implement Committee’s directions and suggestions regarding environment protection measures for reducing the impact of industrial pollutants on ecology.The Committee, which met under Chairmanship of MLA M.Y. Tarigami, reviewed the measures taken by I&C department for protection of environment and minimizing the impact of pollution generated by Industrial Estates including stone crushers, brick kilns, mining etc of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.Threadbare discussion was held on the adverse impact of various industrial units on the environment besides precautionary measures initiated by the department to contain this pollution. Legislators, Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Daleep Singh Parihar, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan and Anjum Fazili attended the meeting and gave their valuable suggestions for protecting and safeguarding the environment.
The panel observed that the industrial growth is imperative for development of the State, but not at the expense of the environment adding that it is the moral and legal responsibility of the Industrialists to ensure that there is no adverse impact of their activities on the environment.
The committee observed that there is a critical need to evolve an effective mechanism to monitor and minimize the hazardous effects of industrial pollution.The Committee sought a comprehensive status report on action taken by the department on ground in this regard.Taking note of reports regarding the increasing pollution levels at the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, the Committee decided to conduct a spot inspection to assess its impact and review the control measures.Earlier, Commissioner Secretary I&C, Shailendra Kumar briefed the Committee about functioning of Industries Department, operation of solid waste management plant in Samba, upcoming Scientific Mining Plan besides measures taken to protect environment, among others.Deputy Commissioners, Rajeev Ranjan, Sheetal Nanda and Rohit Khajuria also briefed the Committee about the functioning of stone crushers, brick kilns in their respective districts and the measure being adopted to protect environment from the brunt of these units.Among others, Director Geology and Mining, Farooq Ahmed Khan, Director, Industries and Commerce, Jasvinder Singh Tara, Managing Director SIDCO, Jasvinder Singh Dua, Managing Director, SICOP, R L Ticku, Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly, Naseem Jan, besides senior officers of concerned department also attended the meeting.