[Chd,Pb] Capt’s Cabinet Gives Green Signal To Brick klins in Punjab
This approval is for rectangular shape and zigzag brick setting by Punjab State Council for Science & Technology. Brick kilns have been given till September 30, 2019, to make the conversion.
The brick kilns in the process of conversion to induce draft technology with zigzag setting/yet to start the process intending to operate the brick kiln are required to pay environmental compensation on the basis of `polluter pays principle’ to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) with effect from February 1, 2019, till the adoption of induced draft technology. The compensation has been set Rs. 25,000 per month for zig zag setting with kiln of capacity equal to more than 30,000 bricks per day and Rs. 20,000 per month for kiln of capacity less than 30,000 bricks per day.
The PPCB would ensure that the brick kilns are operated in compliance with the code of practice prescribed by the CPCB, as well as the state board. The Department of Food and Civil Supplies, being the licensing authority, would create awareness and mobilise the brick kiln for conversion to induced draft technology with zigzag setting.
482 brick kilns had already converted to new technology and 559 were in pipeline for shifting to induced draft technology.
Notably, around 2800 brick kilns are operating in Punjab, producing around 15-20 billion bricks per annum. This constitutes about 8% of total production of the country and the brick kiln industry employs about 0.5-0.6 million workers.
Capt’s Cabinet Gives Green Signal To Brick klins in Punjab