Andhra HC orders regular checks of Parawada pharma units

The high court on Monday directed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (PCB) to conduct periodic inspections of pharma units in Parawada Pharma City and submit a detailed report. The court sought details on when inspections were last carried out, how many units comply with the norms, how many were found violating them, and the action taken against the erring companies.The direction came after one Pila Sanyasi Raju filed a PIL alleging that Ramky Pharma violated environmental norms by removing the green belt to dump waste. Counsel Lalam Syamantha argued that the company dug a pond in the green belt area for dumping pollutants and that the activity was halted only after the PIL was filed. The PCB’s standing counsel submitted that no such digging activity is currently taking place and sought time to furnish details.Considering the submissions, the bench of Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Ninala Jayasurya stressed that periodic inspections of pharma units are mandatory and directed the PCB to file a report. The court also issued notices to the state and Union govts, seeking details of inspections and action taken on violations. The matter was posted for further hearing to June 24.