NGT imposes Rs 1.1 cr penalty on fish meal units for violating rules

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai, has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.1 crore on Indian Fish Meal and Oil Products and 14 other units for contravening the rules under Coastal Regulation Zone and causing water and air pollution.

While a penalty of Rs 5 lakh each has been imposed on nine units, another five units have been directed to pay a penalty of Rs 8 lakh each.

The nine units which have been imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh each are: Indian Fish Meal and Oil Products; S N Marine Products; Indo Fish Meal Company; Super Aqua Tech; Mangaluru Marine Products; Ullal Fish Meal and Oil Co; Mangaluru Fish Meal and Oil Co; Span Aquatech Products - now Bawa Fish Meal & Oil Co; and Marine Products.

Similarly, the five units which have been imposed a penalty of Rs 8 lakh each are: Fahad Fish Meal and Oil Co; Mangaluru Fish Meal and Oil Co; United Marine Products; Mangaluru Sea Products; and Haris Marina Products. Besides, a penalty of Rs 25 lakh has been imposed on Fishmeal and Oil Manufacturing Association.

The National Green Tribunal imposed the penalty under “Polluter Pay Principle” and directed the units to pay the penalty to the Environment Relief Fund established under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 within one month from the date of the judgement (July 8, 2016).

The NGT passed the orders in a complaint against these fish meal units, filed by Mohammed Kabir, Imthiyaz and Mayyadi Ali, all residents of Ullal near Mangaluru.

The tribunal has further directed the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to continue monitoring of the above units and also not to allow them to operate unless the CETP (Central Effluent Treatment Plant) is made functional by meeting all the required standards.

In addition, the individual units shall instal deodorisers and evaporators to control smell, before starting operation, the order stated.

When contacted, Fishmeal and Oil Manufacturing Association President M Shawkath Showry said that the Association would seek a legal opinion on preferring an appeal against the order.