Minister for Tourism, Ecology and Environment C P Yogeeshwara on Wednesday, said that approximately five lakh industries are operating without obtaining the 'letter of consent' or approval from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
The minister was addressing a gathering, after inaugurating a programme organised to distribute ‘letter of consent’ by Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association and KSPCB, here.
The minister said, "Water sources and water bodies are contaminated and the Green Tribunal is questioning the department about it. All small-scale industries must be registered with the board. The officials of the Environment department should bring all industries under the board’s purview."
The minister assured of revising the fee for approval. The department has increased the fee by 30%, recently.
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