Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Strike balance between industrial growth and environment: CM

‘Ensure pollution control devices are installed at industrial units’  
Stating that industrial development cannot be achieved at the cost of disturbing ecological balance of the State, Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah today underscored the need for taking corrective measures in industrial policy to protect the environment. 
Mr. Abdullah said even though industrial development is imperative for economic growth and wellbeing of the State, maintenance of ecological balance and pollution-free environment are equally important for sustenance of life. He asked the concerned authorities to strike a balance between industrial development and preservation of environment.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a high level meeting held here today to discuss measures to check haphazard and unauthorized growth of brick-kilns as well as to ensure that pollution control devices are installed at the industrial units.
Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Labour and Employment and CA&PD, Mr. S. S. Slathia, Chief Secretary, Mr. S. S. Kapur, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Mr. Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary, Forests, Mr. Shant Manu, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Masaud Samoon, Chairman, Pollution Control Board (PCB), Secretary Revenue, Mr. Ajaz Iqbal and other senior officers attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister constituted a Committee, headed by Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, and comprising Administrative Secretaries to Government, Forests, Revenue and Law Departments, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu and Chairman PCB to look into all aspects related to functioning of brick-kilns including issuance of license, registration, certificates by PCB and the Act governing this activity in the State. 
The Committee will submit its report and recommendations to the Chief Secretary to formulate a comprehensive policy for this activity.