Textile unit owners decline to relocate from Sanganer

The Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) had allotted land at Chitroli in Bagru to the 173 textile units that were found infeasible to connect with the common effluent treatment plant (CETP). They claim that all units including these 173, operating in Sanganer can be linked with the proposed CETP. The deadline for applying for the plots at Chitroli was October 15. But no unit owner applied for it.

Owners of the textile units that were to be relocated from Sanganer to Chitroli in Bagru have refused to shift. A delegation of textile owners met the RIICO officials on Friday and conveyed its decision.

As per a study conducted in 2012, a total of 650 units were functional, discharging 12.3 MLD of effluents. However, officials maintain that the actual figure is much higher. They said that more than 17 MLD effluents are being discharged.

The issue of CETP is pending since 2003 when the high court had instructed the owners to set up the plant. Later, the Supreme Court had also asked them to follow the orders. In 2014, after receiving the environmental clearance from the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, the owners gave their consent to set up the plant under the Water Act.

The Textile Unit Owners’ Association said that the differences between the textile unit owners and the government are over the cost of setting up the CETP. It is estimated to cost around Rs 110-120 crore. It didn’t have this much money and urged the government to set up the plant. The court has asked that state and the Centre to share 50% of the cost while the association would bear the remaining 50% cost.