The Hindu Business Line : Eco law envelops big generator sets

WITH the threat of El Nino ever present, and the ozone layer hole on top of our heads, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has brought about further amendment to the eco law, in the form of Environment (Protection) Third Amendment Rules, 2002, to lay down emission standards for diesel engines with a rating beyond 800 KW for power plant, generator set applications and other requirements.

The earlier entry relating to gensets applied to capacities up to 800 KW. A detailed table which is provided in the notification classifies the gensets into three categories based on commissioning date, and areas into A and B. Nitrogen dioxide parameter limits have been specified based engine rating. Category A areas are those within the municipal limits of towns/cities having population more than 10 lakhs and also up to 5 km beyond the municipal limits of such towns/cities.

It has been stated that only following liquid fuels - viz. high-speed diesel, light diesel oil, low sulphur heavy stock and furnace oil or liquid fuels with equivalent specifications - shall be used in the power plants and generator sets. Measurement methods have been specified for the different emission parameters. For instance, use the "Barium Perchlorate - Thorin indicator" method to gauge sulphur dioxide, and the "Gas Chromatograph - Flame Ionisation detector" to measure NMHC, which is Non-Methane Hydrocarbon. (Notification No SO489 (E) dated July 9, 2002)

Power passing

Thus far, it was the Central Government that had the powers to issue directions to any industry or any local or other authority for the violation of the standards and rules relating to hazardous waste, bio-medical waste, hazardous chemicals, industrial solid waste, municipal solid waste including plastic waste notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Now these have been delegated to the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, informs the Ministry of Environment and Forests. (Notification No SO730 (E) dated July 10, 2002)

Cost norms

About three years ago, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority notified the norms for conversion cost, packing charges and process loss, in its notification No. SO 578(E). For instance, it stated that conversion cost for plain tablets (per 1000 Nos.) was to be Rs 4.70 for small (up to 100 mg.), Rs 7.05 for medium (101 mg to 350 mg.), Rs 10.45 for large (351 mg to 600 mg.) and for the extra large (above 600 mg.), Rs 10.45 plus Rs.0.31 for each 100 mg. over 600 mg. Similarly, norms were laid for capsules, coated tablets, liquids, ointments and so on. Now, the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has announced that validity of that notification would be extended with immediate effect. (Notification No SO737 (E) dated July 12, 2002)

Kid gloves

With not much progress in the J&K situation, the RBI has decided to extend till March 2003, the benefits it had conferred to trade and industry in J&K more than a decade back through its Circular No. DBOD. BP.BC. 143/ 21.04.012/ 92 dated June 18, 1992. Accordingly, increased working capital facilities may be sanctioned by way of relaxation in prescribed/ standardised norms for inventory and receivables up to a maximum of 50 per cent.

A concession of 50 per cent in service tariffs for remittances may continue. The banks may honour small fixed deposit receipts, say up to Rs10,000 of the Kashmiri migrants at the designated branches without verifying details from the branch of origin against some indemnity bonds.

For term credits, the banks may adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach as regards debt-equity ratio, especially for small projects. Reschedulement of the repayment programme may also be allowed in deserving cases. The banks may review all irregular accounts within a timeframe of three months with a view to exploring the possibilities of regularising them through sanctioning additional working capital facilities.

And, when the guns are not booming, the lead bank in each district may convene banker-customer meet, to which top district level State Government officials could also be invited. (Notification No DBOD BP BC 4 / 21.04.012/ 2002- 2003 dated July 12, 2002)

Red card

Ministry of Labour has prohibited the employment of contract labour in American Express Bank Ltd's Travel Related Services based in Gurgaon. The ban would apply to the following jobs in Amex: Sorting and distribution of mail, reports, fax and telex, department-wise; entry of courier packets; segregation of new accounts and membership services letters, Indian Rupee and corporate card applications; filing and reference works; and preparation of sets and dispatch of birthday cards.

The prohibition has been imposed in consultation with the Central Advisory Contract Labour Board and having regard to the conditions of work and benefits provided for the contract labour and other relevant factors. (Notification No SO706 (E) dated July 5, 2002)

D.M.

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