Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy on Tuesday issued on the spot orders to take action against a private industrial unit extracting oil from cashew nuts, located in the Sedarapet industrial estate after it was found to be violating all norms relating to environment protection.
Mr. Kandasamy accompanied by officials of the Departments of Labour and Science, Technology and Environment made a surprise visit to Golden Cashews Private Ltd.
During his visit, the Minister found that the industrial unit had not paid power tariff for the last several years. He sought stern action to be taken immediately against the industry.
The team also found that the industry had been illegally drawing sub-soil water through unauthorised installation of borewells and had been discharging industrial effluents underground, causing a threat to the environment and posing hardships to residents.
Mr. Kandasamy said that he had been receiving complaints from the villagers that the industry was a threat to the health of the people.
Power supply cut
Following the order of the Minister, power supply was disconnected to the industry.
The unit had not renewed its licence for nearly a decade, the Minister said.
Visit to industrial units would continue to ensure that they did not pollute the environment, the Minister added.
