EIA REPORT FOR PROPOSED EXPANSION OF STEEL PLANT FROM 1.0 MTPA TO 2.0 MTPA 0F UTTAM VALUE STEELS LIMITED

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Cassandra Hall
6 years ago
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1 COMMENTS OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT ON THE VARIOUS CONCERNS RAISED IN THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS The public hearing of the proposed expansion of steel plant from 1.0 MTPA to 2.0 MTPA at Village - Barbadi, Bhugaon & Selukate, Bhugaon Link Road, Wardha, Maharashtra was held on at Krida Sankul Ground, In front of Police Head Quarter, Near Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue, Sewagram Road, Wardha. The proceedings of the environmental public hearing are attached at the end of the chapter. In this public hearing total of thirty three (33) numbers of representations / memorandum / suggestions / views were received in covering six (6) areas of issues as specified below. Majority of the public in PH i.e. more than 2/3 rd have expressed their support for expansion project. Summary of areas of issues raised / suggestions given by the public in general and comments /action plan of the project proponent i.e. UVSL for addressing these issues are given below: Areas of issues Nos. Comments / Action Plan 1 Water Drawl Water drawl from Wana / Vena River at Hinganghat 9 The water requirement of M/s. UVSL has been fulfilled from Dham River near Wardha. 2 Infrastructure Development Further development of infrastructure in terms of Roads in the villages, Drinking water, Schools premises and recreation. No water is drawn from Wana / Vena River at Hinganghat for this project. Company has clarified that public has wrongly misconceived that water will be drawn from Wana / Vena river at Hinganghat for this project. 1 The infrastructure in the villages around the Uttam Steel Complex is being continuously improved. Work has already commenced to up-grade the roads and school infrastructure in the surrounding villages. Till date 1624 meters of cement roads have been constructed and 20 solar lamps have also been installed at conspicuous places in the villages. Ground water samples taken from 8 different locations in surrounding villages were tested and compared with drinking water quality standards specified in IS:10500 (2012) and observed to be well within the permissible limits. Improved infrastructure by undertaking repair / replenishment of school building s roofs, boundary walls, entrance gates, playground etc. and by providing ceiling fans in the classrooms of schools. And one dozen molded chairs MECON Limited. All rights reserved 12-1

2 Areas of issues Nos. Comments / Action Plan Every year meritorious students from the S.S.C. to college level are being given rewards / incentives for their studies by the company. Till date Company has distributed 9 Laptops, 60 Mobile Telephones, 50 Bicycles, 1,800 Schoolbags and 11,100 notebooks to students in surrounding villages. 3 Employment opportunities More employment to qualified and skilled local youth These efforts will be continued and further reinforced. 8 The Company is committed to give more employment opportunities to local youths directly or indirectly and this will be continued. As on date around 85% employees are local. As suggested in the PH, company will make efforts for development of required skillsets for the industry through local Technical / Engineering institutions. 4 Health care & medical facilities More medical check-up to local villagers Company has distributed 40 sewing machines with accessories to the widows to make them self-reliant for earning their livelihood. 1 Medical camps / health check-ups are being periodically organized for the local people through the qualified medical practitioners / specialists. Necessary medicines and medical aids have been provided in these camps free of cost. Eye camps were also held in which 1305 patients have been checked and 1025 Spectacles have been distributed to the needy patients free of cost. Blood donation camps were also organized from time to time. As the response of the villagers is overwhelming company plans to hold such camps more frequently in future. Company shall send deserving patients for further treatment to main hospitals for treating certain diseases for which treatment is not available locally MECON Limited. All rights reserved 12-2

3 Areas of issues Nos. Comments / Action Plan 5 Environmental pollution Water pollution from the industry Reduction of agriculture yields 7 Water is used in the industry for processing, cooling, gardening and sprinkling. The above operations do not pollute the water. The company has embarked upon 100% utilisation of water by its recycle in the process / reuse for gardening and sprinkling after treatment for conserving the precious water resources and control the cost also. This has been confirmed in the ground water survey undertaken in and around various locations of the plant premises. 1 In the case of adjoining unit of M/s. Uttam Galva Metallics Ltd., based on the assurance given in the Legislative Assembly by the Honourable Minister for Environment a Study group comprising MPCB officials, EE (MIDC), Principal Scientist & Head of Air Pollution Department of NEERI, Village Sarpanch, Representative of Human Rights Sangh & Bapu Kuti was constituted to find out the facts. The Study group visited the plant and surrounding areas for personal inspection and interaction with the people and also called for report from the District Agricultural Officer, Wardha who has confirmed that due to the existing plant there has been no adverse effect on the crop as well as there is no reduction in the yield of main crop in the region. Due to Air & Water pollution people in the surrounding villages are suffering from disease In light of the above it is established that this concern is not based on facts and as such company envisage that there will not be reduction in the yield even after expansion takes place. 6 In the case of adjoining unit of M/s. Uttam Galva Metallics Ltd., based on the assurance given in the Legislative Assembly by the Honourable Minister for Environment a Study group comprising MPCB officials, EE (MIDC), Principal Scientist & Head of Air Pollution Department of NEERI, Village Sarpanch, Representative of Human Rights Sangh & Bapu Kuti was constituted to find out the facts. The Study group visited the plant and surrounding area for personal inspection and interaction with the 2015 MECON Limited. All rights reserved 12-3

4 Areas of issues Nos. Comments / Action Plan people and also called for report from the District Health Officer, Wardha who has confirmed that due to the existing plant people from the villages are not suffering from any specific diseases and there has been no adverse effect on their health. In light of the above it is established that this concern is not based on facts and as such company envisage that there will not be any adverse effect on health of the people residing in vicinity of plant. Effect of Fly ash 1 Company is not generating any power and therefore fly ash is not generated. The concern is not based on facts. 6 Greenery & Tree Plantation Tree plantation in nearby villages and contribution to Wardha City 3 Company has extensively covered all areas under its precincts and control for development as green belt by planting trees. The company has planted 1,92,600 trees till date. Company is also distributing tree saplings in the surrounding villages with Tree guards. All the schools are involved in this movement. We will continue our efforts of planting trees in coming years too as an ongoing activity. Company has undertaken beautification of Mahavir garden located in heart of Wardha city and also installed CCTV at 5 locations in Wardha city for improving traffic regulation and prevention of crimes MECON Limited. All rights reserved 12-4

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) POLICY

Preamble CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) POLICY By induction of Section 135 of Companies Act, 2013, the Government of India has given the statutory strength to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility.