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Pawan targets Andhra Paper over Godavari pollution, Rs 21-cr tax dues
In Short
Deputy CM says company accounts for nearly half of Rajahmundry’s liquid waste
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Pawan targets Andhra Paper over Godavari pollution, Rs 21-cr tax dues
Amaravati: Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday criticised Andhra Paper Limited, accusing the company of causing large-scale pollution of the Godavari river and evading local body taxes for nearly 12 years.
In a strongly worded statement on X, Pawan Kalyan alleged that the Rajahmahendravaram-based company was responsible for nearly half of the liquid waste generated in the city while failing to address pollution concerns raised by authorities.
According to Pawan, Rajahmahendravaram generates around 70 million litres of liquid waste, of which Andhra Paper Limited alone accounts for nearly 35 million litres. He said tests conducted on samples collected from the company’s discharge lagoons allegedly found pollution levels above permissible limits. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) was recorded at 36 mg per litre, while phosphate levels stood at 5.3 mg and sulfide at 3.4 mg, which he said exceeded prescribed standards.
Pawan warned that the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated industrial waste could deplete oxygen levels in water, threaten aquatic life and damage the Godavari ecosystem. He also raised concerns about groundwater contamination, public health and the long-term environmental impact on future generations.
Pawan further accused the company of failing to pay taxes to the Katheru Gram Panchayat and Rajahmahendravaram Municipal Corporation since 2016, putting the pending dues at around Rs 21.34 crore.
Pawan Kalyan said strict action under Pollution Control Board regulations could include penalties, suspension of industrial operations, sealing of the facility or cancellation of licences. However, he said the government had initially opted to issue show-cause notices to give the company an opportunity to rectify the alleged violations without disrupting industrial activity.
According to him, Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials had held several discussions with the company’s representatives over the past three months and suggested remedial measures, but there had been no satisfactory response.
He directed PCB officials to immediately issue summons to Andhra Paper Limited and initiate appropriate action under the applicable regulations.
He also instructed the advocate general, additional advocate general, government counsels and standing counsels to take steps to expedite cases relating to such violations.
