The Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Tuesday asked brick fields, stone crushers and saw mills, which have been certified under MPCB, to submit certificates along with other documents for monitoring by March 30.
Speaking to the media, MPCB chairman Usham Deben said there are 48 brick fields, 58 stone crushers in Manipur. However, the board also knows that there are more numbers of brick fields and stone crushers in the state that are opened illegally.
In an effort to find out all illegal operations and to monitor whether those certified fields, saw mills and stone crushers are following rules and regulations, the MPCB requested the owners to submit certificates and documents.
If any of them is found functioning against norms, they will be closed down, Usham Deben said.
Moreover, the state government had banned certain types of single use plastics from July 1, 2022 onwards under Manipur Plastic Policy 2022 following strong directive from the Centre but these banned plastic products are flooding the local markets, Deben pointed out.
(MPCB chairman Usham Deben speaks to mediapersons during a press meet)
The MPCB initiated the ban of products like plastic below 120-micron, water bottles less than 1 litre, ear-buds etc.
"Due to some matter, the monitoring and driving stopped for some time. Among those banned items, some have started appearing in the local market and shops. All such banned items should stop within March 30 or else a legal action will be initiated, Deben said.
Deben said vehicles that modified the company's exhaust pipe with loud sounds will be seized and punished. Moreover, the MPCB will also start monitoring the sound system, he added.
The MPCB chairman also informed that there are 75 units to check and monitor pollution of river water including Loktak lake and they are functioning well.
Regarding the Air Quality Monitoring Station, Deben said that there are 12 stations, one already installed and functioning. Remaining 11 will also be installed soon, after the appointment of 36 staff that are required in functioning stations, he informed.
He also informed that the board has a shortage of manpower and they plan to recruit 70 staff soon.
He said that to control pollution in the state, the board alone cannot take responsibility.
Every citizen should take responsibility to control pollution, to maintain neatness and cleanluness, he said and appealed to the people of Manipur to cooperate with the board for the sake of the future.
