Kaka Ashok v. Central Pollution Control Board

NGT7 Nov 2025Original Application No. 178/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone examined allegations against M/s Sri Venkateswara Egg Trays Industry regarding pollution and health hazards. Relying on Joint Committee inspections and Board reports confirming valid consent and compliant wastewater management, the Tribunal found no merit in the claims of environmental degradation or health risks. The application was dismissed.

What the court decided

AI extract

Kaka Ashok vs Central Pollution Control Board — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2025)

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Item No.12:-

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI

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Friday, the 07^th day of November, 2025.

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[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]

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Original Application No.178 of 2024 (SZ)

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[Earlier O.A. No.192 of 2024 (PB)]

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IN THE MATTER OF

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Kaka Ashok

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H. No.2-138, Gari Oddu Village, Ramachandrapuram Gram Panchayat, Aswapuram Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana – 507 128.

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…Applicant(s)

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Versus

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1. Central Pollution Control Board

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Through its Member Secretary, Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar,

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Delhi – 110 032.

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2. Telangana State Pollution Control Board

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Through its Member Secretary, A-3, Paryavaran Bhavan, Sanath Nagar Road, Sanath Nagar Industrial Estate, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500 018.

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3. Collector and District Magistrate Integrated District Offices Complex, Old Palvancha, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana – 507 101.

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4. Superintendent of Police

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Writer Basti, Kothagudem District,

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Telangana – 507 101.

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5. M/s. Sri Venkateswara Egg Trays Industry

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Represented by its Proprietor Ramachandrapuram Village, Aswapuram Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana – 507 101.

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(R5 - Suo Motu impleaded as per order dt.18.09.2024)

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...Respondent(s)

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Page 1 of 8

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For Applicant (s): Mr. Kaka Ashok (Party-in-Person) None Appeared

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For Respondent(s): Mr. D.S. Ekambaram for R1. Mr. T. Sai Krishnan for R2. Mrs. H. Yasmeen Ali for R3 & R4. Mr. B. Kalyan Rao for R5.

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Judgement Reserved on: 24^th September, 2025.

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CORAM :

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HON’BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER

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J U D G M E N T

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Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member

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1. The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, took suo motu cognizance of a letter petition dated 05.09.2023, received from one Mr. Kaka Ashok, a resident of Gari Oddu Village, Ramachandrapuram Gram Panchayat, Aswapuram Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana, alleging illegal operations and pollution caused by Sri Venkateswara Egg Tray Industry , owned by Smt. Kanakamedala Lokeswari, situated at Ramachandrapuram Village.

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2. The complainant asserts that the said industry is involved in the manufacture of egg trays utilizing waste materials and is allegedly discharging effluents and pollutants into the adjoining agricultural fields, thereby impairing soil fertility and posing risks to public health. It is further alleged that the unit is operating in contravention of environmental regulations and that emissions from its operations are causing respiratory ailments and other health issues among nearby residents, including school children.

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3. Taking note of the aforesaid allegations, the Tribunal registered the matter as Original Application No.192 of 2024 (PB) and, by order dated 29.04.2024, constituted a Joint Committee

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comprising officials from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) and the District Magistrate, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, to ascertain the factual position and submit a detailed report with appropriate recommendations. Subsequently, the matter was transferred to this Bench, where it was renumbered as Original Application No.178 of 2024 (SZ) .

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4. Upon notice, the respondents have entered appearance through their counsels and filed their respective pleadings.

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5. In compliance with the Tribunal’s direction, the Joint Committee conducted an inspection of the unit on 23.05.2024 and submitted its report dated 25.06.2024 . The inspection was carried out in the presence of both the applicant and a representative of the industry. The Committee noted that M/s. Sri Venkateswara Egg Trays Industry is located in Survey Nos. 190/129E and 190/129EE of Nellipaka Village, Aswapuram Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem District. The site is bordered by open and agricultural lands to the north, east, and south, while the western boundary is adjacent to the road leading to Vaddigudem village. The industry possesses a valid Consent for Operation (CFO) issued by the TGPCB vide order dated 30.08.2023, valid up to 31.10.2038, and is categorized as a Green Category industry as per the Board’s Circular dated 03.05.2018 and line of activity is Egg tray/cardboards unit [Cardboard or corrugated box and paper products (excluding paper or pulp manufacturing and without using boilers)].

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6. The Joint Committee further noted that the unit manufactures egg trays using ETP sludge from integrated pulp and paper industries and waste paper as raw materials. The process involves six machines housed within a closed shed. The unit was operational during inspection and functions on a shift basis depending on market demand. Total water consumption is 1.5 KLD (1.0 KLD for process and 0.5 KLD for domestic use). Process water is recycled within the system, and about 2000 litres per month of wash water is generated during cleaning operations. Wastewater is treated in settling tanks followed by sludge drying beds. Treated water is reused in the process, and the excess is used for on-land

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irrigation within the premises or the proprietor’s agricultural fields. No discharge outside the industry premises was observed during inspection. Domestic wastewater of 0.2 KLD is disposed of through a septic tank and soak pit. A concrete platform is provided for safe storage of ETP sludge. No significant air pollution was noted. A greenbelt has been developed on the eastern and northern sides of the premises. The applicant and a few villagers alleged that earlier, untreated washings from the unit had entered nearby agricultural fields. Based on the complaint received on 06.09.2023, the TGPCB issued a notice on 20.09.2023 directing the industry to install adequate treatment facilities and reuse all treated water. The industry responded on 20.10.2023, citing temporary financial constraints but has since complied by constructing settling tanks and sludge drying beds.

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7. The Joint Committee collected soil samples from the proprietor’s agricultural land where villagers alleged wastewater deposition. Laboratory analysis revealed no abnormalities in soil quality. While some residents reported occasional odour when wind direction changed, others confirmed no nuisance or environmental harm from the unit. Finally, the Joint Committee recommended that the industry shall not discharge any wastewater outside its premises and the industry shall ensure that the wastewater from the industry shall not mix with stormwater during rains.

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8. Respondent No.1, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) , filed its reply dated 17.09.2024 , stating that the industry utilizes ETP sludge from pulp and paper industries as a raw material for manufacturing egg trays. Since ETP sludge is classified as hazardous waste, its utilization is permissible only with authorization from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the CPCB under Rule 9 of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. The CPCB has already issued an SOP for the utilization of process and primary ETP sludge from pulp and paper industries in the manufacture of paper board and cardboard. Accordingly, the unit shall follow the same SOP for egg tray manufacturing. The TGPCB

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shall ensure that the industry adheres to these SOPs and operates with valid authorization under the said Rules.

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9. Respondent No.2, the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) , filed its report dated 14.02.2025 , substantially reiterating the findings of the Joint Committee. It is further stated therein that the Board officials inspected the industry on 13.09.2024 to verify compliance with the recommendations made by the Committee. With respect to the direction that the industry shall not discharge any wastewater outside its premises, the TGPCB observed that no discharge beyond the site boundary was found during inspection. Regarding the recommendation to ensure that process wastewater does not mix with stormwater during rains, it is noted that the industrial operations are carried out entirely within a closed shed, thereby minimizing any possibility of such mixing.

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10. Respondent No.3, the District Collector, Bhadradri Kothagudem District , who was also a member of the Joint Committee, filed an independent report substantially reiterating the findings and observations contained in the Joint Committee’s report.

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11. Respondent No.5, M/s. Sri Venkateswara Egg Trays Industry , has filed its counter dated 05.08.2025 , denying all allegations of pollution or public health hazards. It is stated in the counter that, as per TGPCB Circular dated 30.09.2020, the “Manufacturing of Egg Trays” activity falls under the Green Category. Further, the industry holds Consent Order dated 30.08.2023, valid up to 31.10.2038, permitting production of 10,000 bundles per month. The industry has complied with Sections 25 & 26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The industry occupies 100 square yards in Survey Nos.190/129E and 190/129EE, surrounded by eucalyptus plantations, forming a natural buffer. The industry is bordered by various landmarks and lands: to the east lies the proprietrix’s eucalyptus plantation, to the west is the road leading to Vaddigudem village, to the north are the lands owned by the Kanakamedala family, and to the south are the lands of Chalamala

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Ramulu and Maddi Sailu. A government school is located approximately 500 metres away from the premises, separated by a 60-metre-wide road and a designated greenbelt. Claims suggesting the site is in close proximity to an Anganwadi or poses any harm to schoolchildren are factually incorrect. In terms of pollution control, the industry does not use any chemicals in its manufacturing process. The raw materials used are ETP sludge sourced from the Sarapaka Paper Factory, located about 10 km away, and waste paper. The industry has implemented pollution control infrastructure, including two 2000-litre settling tanks and a septic tank with a soak pit for wastewater treatment. Since August 2023, the industry has achieved complete water recycling, ensuring no wastewater is discharged either within or outside the premises. Hence, the 5^th Respondent asserts that the operations are fully compliant with environmental laws and do not pose any threat to soil, crops, or human health.

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12. The Tribunal has carefully perused the pleadings, inspection reports filed by the Joint Committee and the TGPCB, the counter affidavit filed by the 5^th Respondent, and the submissions of the parties.

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13. Upon thorough consideration of the material on record, the following findings emerge:

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13.1 Legality and Compliance of Operations: M/s. Sri Venkateswara Egg Tray Industry holds a valid Consent for Operation (CFO No. 230824769363) issued by the TGPCB on 30.08.2023, valid until 31.10.2038, for manufacturing 10,000 bundles of egg trays per month. Categorized as a Green Category unit under TGPCB Guidelines dated 30.09.2020, it is recognized as a low-pollution, small-scale industry. Both the Joint Committee and TGPCB confirmed compliance with the approved capacity and processes.

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13.2 Manufacturing Process and Raw Materials: The unit manufactures egg trays using ETP sludge from paper mills and waste paper, without pulp manufacturing, chemical use, or boilers. The process involves recycling, moulding,

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drying, and packing. Though ETP sludge is classified as hazardous waste under the 2016 Rules, its use is permitted under CPCB SOPs. The unit has valid authorization and complies with all prescribed handling protocols.

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13.3 Wastewater Management: The unit uses 1.5 KLD of water, with 2000 litres of monthly process wastewater treated in settling tanks and reused for irrigation. Domestic wastewater is managed via a septic tank and soak pit. No external discharge or soil contamination was observed, and inspections found the system compliant with the Water Act, 1974.

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13.4 Air and Noise Emissions: No boilers or combustion systems are used. Drying is done via natural and lowenergy methods, with no visible emissions or odours noted during inspection. Ambient air quality remains within limits, and operations are conducted in a closed shed, ensuring minimal air pollution.

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13.5 Environmental Safeguards: The unit is located on a 100 sq. yard plot surrounded by the proprietrix's agricultural lands. A developed greenbelt acts as a natural buffer. The nearest school is 500 metres away, across a 60-metre-wide road and greenbelt, and no proximity or health risk to children has been established.

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13.6 Allegations of Soil and Health Impacts: Claims of soil infertility and health hazards were not supported by evidence. Soil tests showed normal parameters, and no health complaints were recorded. Interactions with locals indicated past grievances have been resolved, and no ongoing pollution was detected.

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13.7 Regulatory Oversight: The unit operates under CPCB SOPs and TGPCB authorization, with regular monitoring in place. The Tribunal finds the current regulatory framework sufficient to ensure compliance, subject to continued oversight.

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14. In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the industry possesses valid statutory consent and operates within the limits prescribed therein; the manufacturing process is simple, nonchemical, and closed-loop in nature; adequate systems exist for wastewater treatment, reuse, and greenbelt development; no evidence of pollution, illegal discharge, or environmental degradation is found; and allegations regarding health hazards and proximity to public institutions are unsupported by factual or scientific material.

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15. Accordingly, the Tribunal concludes that the allegations made against M/s. Sri Venkateswara Egg Tray Industry lacks merit and that the operations of the industry are in compliance with applicable environmental laws and standards. Nonetheless, the Tribunal emphasizes the need for continued regulatory vigilance. The Telangana State Pollution Control Board is directed to maintain ongoing monitoring of the unit’s operations, particularly in response to any future grievances or environmental concerns raised by the surrounding community. Such proactive oversight is essential to ensure sustained compliance and to address any emerging issues promptly and effectively.

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16. On the above lines, the Original Application

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[O.A. No.178 of 2024 (SZ)] is disposed of.

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Sd/-

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Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM

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Sd/Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM

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Internet – Yes/No All India NGT Reporter – Yes/No

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O.A. No.178/2024 (SZ) 07^th November, 2025. Mn.

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Kaka Ashok v. Central Pollution Control Board

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

Kaka Ashok v. Central Pollution Control Board

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

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