PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED EXPANSION PROJECT CONSISTING OF ENHANCEMENT OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF EXISTING WRITING & PRINTING AND NEWSPRINT PAPER FROM 140 TPD TO 200 TPD & SETTING UP OF NEW 200 TPD DUPLEX BOARD PLANT ALONG WITH 1x8 MW CAPTIVE COGENERATION POWER PLANT AT EXISTING PLANT PREMISES AT FALTA INDUSTRIAL GROWTH CENTRE, PHASE­ II, SECTOR­V, VILLAGE­FALTA, DISTRICT­, , PROPOSED BY M/S KOHINOOR PAPER & NEWSPRINT PRIVATE LIMITED, HELD ON 10.02.2012 AT 12:00 HOURS AT THE PROPOSED EXPANSION PROJECT SITE, FALTA INDUSTRIAL GROWTH CENTRE, PHASE­II, SECTOR­V, VILLAGE­FALTA, DISTRICT­SOUTH 24 PARGANA(SOUTH), WEST BENGAL

M/s Kohinoor Paper & Newsprint Pvt. Ltd. submitted an application to the West Bengal Pollution Control Board for conducting a Public Hearing for the proposed expansion project consisting of enhancement of production capacity of existing writing & printing and newsprint paper from 140 TPD to 200 TPD, setting up of new 200 TPD duplex board plant along with 1x8 MW Captive Co­Generation Power Plant at existing plant premises at Falta industrial growth centre, Phase­II, Sector­V, Village­Falta, District­South 24 Parganas, West Bengal . As per the EIA Notification S.O. 1533 dated 14th September, 2006 of the MoEF, Govt. of , Environmental Clearance of the said project is required to be obtained from the MoEF, Govt. of India after conducting the Public Hearing.

Accordingly, West Bengal Pollution Control Board after observing all formalities, held the Public Hearing on 10.02.2012 at 12.00 Noon at the proposed expansion project site, at Falta industrial growth centre, Phase­II, Sector­V, Village­ Falta, District­ South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Sri N. Sandilya, Additional District Magistrate (Development), District­South 24 Pgs, presided over the hearing. List of the panel members and the others present in the public hearing is enclosed.

The hearing started with a welcome note from Sri D. Sarkar , Sr. Environmental Engineer, WBPCB. He explained the provisions of the above stated MoEF Notification and also informed the audience about the proposal of M/s Kohinoor Paper & Newsprint Pvt. Ltd.

Sri N. Sandilya, Additional District Magistrate (Development), South 24 Pgs, requested the Project Proponent (PP) to explain in details about the proposed project for discussion among the panel members and others present in the hearing.

Project Proponent, M/s Kohinoor Paper & Newsprint Pvt. Ltd, narrated about the proposed project details including the proposed pollution control devices through Power Point presentation emphasizing on the likely environmental impacts arising out of the expansion activity as well as the proposed mitigation measures to be adopted by them. It has been noted that proposed project is an expansion activity and will come up within the existing premises. Hence, no additional land is required for the expansion project.

Pg 1 of 3 He mentioned that a brief description about the project has already been circulated among the public present in hearing. He highlighted about their emission control proposal for the unit. Properly designed ESP with adequate stack will be provided for the proposed coal fired boiler of cogenerating Power Plant. Fly ash generated from the power plant will be used for brick manufacturing and bottom ash will be used in land filling. Effluent generated from the process will be treated in existing Effluent treatment plant which will be augmented accordingly. A part of the treated waste water shall be reused and balance to be discharged in river Hooghly. Hazardous waste generated from the industry will be sent to the designated secured landfill site at , Purba Medinipur.

He has also informed that the industry is planning for initiating Corporate Social Responsibility programmes like development of local primary school & religious buildings, extensive plantation programme, health check up camp in surrounding villages etc. He has also mentioned that they would generate employment for local people.

During the discussion the panel members and the others present in the public hearing made queries / suggestions with respect to the proposed project, which are noted below:

Sri Kamal Kumar Mondal , Panchayet Pradhan, Kalatalahat Gram Panchayet, welcomed the proposed project with all the commitments made by the PP during their presentation. He informed that earlier there was some problem regarding dust and noise in the existing industry which presently more or less under control. He requested the project proponent to come forward to provide their support for development of local roads, tube wells, health care etc. and consider maximum possible employment for the local people.

Sri Asok Ray of Village Nila informed that earlier there was dust and noise pollution affecting the surrounding areas of the unit but the unit has already taken steps for minimizing the pollution. He requested the project proponent to make provision for discharging the treated waste water to river Hooghly directly.

Sri Premangshu Kapat of Village Kayaberia , welcomed the upcoming project and request the project proponent for considering the employment for local youths.

Sri Dilip mondal, Raychak Village, Sri Pallab Biswas, Birparna Village welcomed the project and stated that the unit presently discharges its treated effluent to the irrigation canal connecting to river Hooghly. Sometimes the effluent back flows to the near by agricultural land due to tidal effect of river Hooghly. He requested the project proponent to discharge the treated waste water through a dedicated pipeline directly to river Hooghly.

Pg 2 of 3 Sri Prabhat Dhara, Ex­member, South 24 Pgs Zilla Parisad , welcomed the proposed project and requested the PP to take appropriate measures to ensure adoption of proper pollution control measures. He requested the project proponent for local employment and for proper implementation of the CSR activity as proposed in the presentation.

The project proponent of M/s Kohinoor Paper & Newsprint Pvt. Ltd. appreciated the various issues expressed by different participants and welcomed their suggestions. He stated that they will address all the issues raised in the public hearing during finalizing the EIA/EMP report. He also mentioned that necessary abatement measures already adopted to control pollution from the existing unit and further initiative will be taken for the purpose. He also committed that local people will be given preferences for employment.

Sri N.Sandilya, ADM(Dev), South 24 Pgs, informed that the project proponent should consider on better utilization of coal ash and emphasized that all possible measures should be ensured by the project proponent towards the mitigation of all environmental problems and various issues raised by the people present in the hearing.

Sri Kamal Kumar Mondal , Panchayet Pradhan, Kalatalahat Gram Panchayet, requested the project proponent to take part in the local infrastructure development activity in consultation with local Gram Panchayet.

Sri D.Sarkar, S.E.E,WBPCB requested the project proponent to fulfill the commitment made during the presentation and incorporate all the issues raised during the hearing in the final EIA report and address the issues properly.

In general, the public present in the hearing welcomed the project provided the Project Proponent will implement all the commitments during public hearing.

Finally Sri N.Sandilya, ADM(Dev), South 24 Pgs, concluded the session.

sd/­ sd/­ D.Sarkar N.Sandilya Sr. Environmental Engineer, Addl. District Magistrate, (Dev) West Bengal Pollution Control Board South 24 Pgs

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