Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board, Suresh Chugh, today listened to the issues of Katra Hoteliers during a meeting with the Katra Hotel Association members.The Chairman informed the Association members that as per the directions of National Green Tribunal, it is mandatory for the unit holders to follow the environmental norms.“Otherwise such defaulters should be ready for harsh action like closure as well as Environmental Compensation fixed by the Tribunal as per the formula devised by the Central Pollution Control Board” he informed. He also advised the association to educate their members for not using Single Use Plastic, which is totally banned and the issue is being monitored at the highest level. The Member Secretary PCB, BM Sharma advised the hoteliers to mandatorily install STPs in their hotel premises. He also said that hotels generate 100 Kg Solid Waste per day have to install Bio Composter / Digester also and no hoteliers shall use Single Use Plastic viz, cup, plates, spoons etc in their hotels, as the same is banned by the Government.He further informed that notices have been served to 28 hoteliers, who were functioning without ETPs/STPs.“All these actions are required in view of the stringent directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in various OAs. “ Because of COVID-19, Board took a lenient view in installation of the same” he said.
He requested the hoteliers to maintain the Log Book of their STPs and informed that every hotelier has to install Inlet and Outlet Digital Flow Meters. He informed the association that Board insists on zero discharge. He requested hoteliers to properly fill the Log Book in the format provided to them during the meeting, to avoid any problem on account of functioning of STPs.Earlier, President, Katra Hoteliers Association, Rakesh Wazir, thanked the authorities for sparing their valuable time and listening to their grievances, especially in view of the COVID-10 situation, which has badly hit the hoteliers business across the globe.He informed the chair that currently 99% of hotels in the Katra are facing almost zero occupancy and the Yatra, which has average calculation of 1 Crores per year is restricted to mere few thousands in view of pandemic. He requested the authorities to take lenient view on the notices served, as most of the hoteliers are facing peculiar situation and also financial constraints in view of the pandemic.Chairman, JK PCB acceded to the request of the association for extending time period for installation of STPs and gave two months time but asked for commitment from the hoteliers to start the process of installation of STPs. He assured the association all cooperation from the JK PCB.The meeting, among others, was attended by Dr. Nadeem Hussain, Regional Director, PCB, Jammu; M.M.Shah, Legal Advisor, JK PCB; A K Gupta, AEE, JK PCB; and others.