Ballari jeans units with own ETP get approval to re-open: MLA Nara Bharath Reddy

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approved the re-opening of jeans washing units in Ballari that have their own Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), city MLA Nara Bharat Reddy announced on November 20. The units had been shut down by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) following a suo motu case taken up by the Upa Lokayukta.

Workers spray a pair of jeans inside Aditya Jeans Washers factory at an apparel park in the Mundargi Industrial Area of Ballari, Karnataka, India.
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Addressing a press conference in Ballari, Mr. Reddy said the Upa Lokayukta had, during a recent visit to Ballari, inspected the environmental condition at the jeans washing units and filed a suo motu case for non-compliance. Subsequently, on November 6, the KSPCB ordered the closure of 36 units that were operating without individual ETPs, and even disconnected their three-phase electricity supply.

“Several members of the Jeans Association, including president Ibrahim Babu, Label Raju and Rocky, approached me seeking relief. On humanitarian grounds, we facilitated temporary electricity restoration. After detailed discussions with Ballari Rural MLA B. Nagendra, the issue was taken up with the Chief Minister. At a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in Bengaluru on November 19 evening, approval was granted to re-open all units that have individual ETP facilities. In addition, ₹22 crore has been sanctioned for setting up a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), with ₹11 crore from Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) and ₹11 crore from Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC),” Mr. Reddy said.

He also said that, in line with assurances given by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the 2023 Assembly elections, a 600-acre Jeans Apparel Park is being developed at Mincheri–Sanjeevarayanakote.

“Interested entrepreneurs will be allotted plots with a 25% subsidy to promote industrial expansion,” he stated.

Valmiki Circle to be inaugurated on January 3

Mr. Reddy also informed that the newly-redeveloped Valmiki Circle, with a statue of Maharshi Valmiki sculpted by renowned artist Arun Yogiraj who had carved the Ram Lalla idol for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, will be inaugurated on January 3.

“In addition, 900 Ashraya houses built near Mundrigi have been completed and are ready for occupation. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan are expected to inaugurate the project soon,” Mr. Reddy said.