Petcoke usage by industries other than cement is still going on, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The Supreme Court had on 13Dec’17 relaxed its complete ban on usage of the refinery by-product by allowing only the cement and the lime industries to use the fuel. The underlying rationale is that these plants are normally equipped with anti-polluting devices. The ban was imposed on the ground of atmospheric pollution caused by burning Petcoke in industrial units.
Intervening into the matter, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has directed its officers to check the usage of the fuel by the industry, and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court order.
In Gujarat, a section of the citizens has approached the Gujarat High Court seeking a complete ban on usage of Petcoke and Furnace Oil in the state as these are the major contributors to air pollution in the state.
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