SEPA: Beverage maker to submit files by Dec 11

The Sindh Environment Protection Agency raids a beverages factory in SITE and confiscates samples of prepared drinks.

KARACHI: A local beverages company has been directed to submit its documents by December 11 by the environmental protection tribunal.

The tribunal, led by its chairperson Jahan Ara and member legal Abdul Karim Memon, told the company management on Saturday to submit the environmental management plan, process flow sheet and layout at the next hearing.

The Sindh Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) raided a beverages factory in SITE and confiscated samples of prepared drinks. These samples were sent to a laboratory, which confirmed that the fumes from the factory were polluting the environment.

Sepa issued a notice to the company on August 11 this year and asked them to file a response by August 23 but it ignored the notice. On August 28, Sepa issued orders to immediately shut down the company under the Environment Protection Order (EPO).

After this decision, the company submitted an appeal to the tribunal against Sepa’s decision. They said that Sepa does not have the authority to close down the factory under this act as this authority lies only with the tribunal.

The company also accused the investigations of being impartial since their side of the story was not heard. They demanded Sepa’s decision to be declared defunct.

Public prosecutor Abdul Maroof told the tribunal on Saturday that under Section 16 (II) of EPO, Sepa has the authority to issue such orders. Sepa gave the factory ample time to submit a response therefore the orders issued are legal, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2010.