Srinagar, Sep 29: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today informed the Legislative Assembly that cement plants using pet coke as feedstock will install advanced pollution control systems.

Replying to a question in the House, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the proposed systems include Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) System with sulphur removal efficiency of over 90 percent, along with alkaline scrubbers and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs).
He said the initiative is aimed at curbing emissions and ensuring compliance with the environmental norms.
The Dy CM was speaking while replying to Calling Attention Notice raised by MLA Justice (Retd) Husnain Masoodi regarding the continued use of Pet Coke by cement factories in the Khrew-Khanmoh area and the alleged pollution threat to human and animal life.
Surinder Choudhary, who is also Minister incharge Industries & Commerce Department, informed the House that the department primarily has a facilitative role while compliance with the pollution-control norms falls within the statutory mandate of the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC).
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that registration of eligible industrial units/MSMEs is accorded through the concerned District Industries Centre(s), subject to fulfilment of all codal formalities and requirements prescribed under the Industrial Policy in vogue. This includes obtaining the requisite consent to establish and operate from the J&K Pollution Control Committee.
He clarified that monitoring and enforcement of prescribed pollution-control norms and standards fall within the statutory jurisdiction of the J&K Pollution Control Committee.
Surinder Choudhary informed that as per information received from J&K PCC, the provisions governing the use of Pet Coke as feedstock in cement/lime kilns, calcium carbide and gasification industries have been specified in the Jammu and Kashmir Pet Coke Furnace Oil Policy issued by the Industries & Commerce Department.
The Deputy Chief Minister further informed the House that the use of Pet Coke is permitted in industries/processes where it is used as feedstock, including calcined Pet Coke and aluminium industries, or where it is absorbed along with the product during the manufacturing process, such as cement kilns and calcium carbide industries, in accordance with the Supreme Court.
He said that cement plants using Pet Coke as feedstock, where it is absorbed along with the product in the manufacturing process on an actual-user basis, are required to comply with the specific safeguards, such as the units are required to seek authorization under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, as the sulphur content in Pet Coke is above five per cent.
The Dy CM also informed that the units have further been directed not to store Pet Coke beyond three months’ consumption and procure it only from the registered dealers.