Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Direct The Ponni Sugar Mill In Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu To Treat Its ... on 29 July, 1998
Title: Need to direct the Ponni Sugar Mill in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu to treat its effluents according to the norms laid down by the Pollution Control Board.
SHRI K. PALANISWAMI (TIRUCHENGODE): Sir, I wish to bring to the notice of the Government a grave situation on contamination of drinking water by a suger mill situated near Pallipalayam in Namakkal district which falls in my constituency, Tiruchengode.
For many years, the Ponni Sugar Mill has not been treating and disposing of its effluents as per the norms laid down by the Pollution Control Board. As a result, the effluents of the sugar mill have seeped in and contaminated the sub-soil water of the area. Pappanpalayam, Kokkarayanpettai, Odapalli and many surrounding villages have been affected. Since the well water is badly contaminated, the poor farmers and other residents of these villages are put to extreme hardship. There is no safe drinking water in these villages.
In the months of February, march, April and May, the water flow in Cauvery is less. At that time, the Ponni Sugar Mill discharges its untreated effluents into Cauvery river. Since this contaminates the Cauvery water, people are unable to use that water also for drinking.
Well water and also the Cauvery water has become unfit for drinking due to contamination. In view of the seriousness of the situation, I appeal to the Central Government to direct the Ponni Sugar Mill in Tamil Nadu to properly treat all its effluents and discharge them according to norms laid down by the Pollution Control Board.