JAISALMER: The Balotra district administration carried out a major crackdown on illegally operated textile washing and dyeing units on Sunday.A joint team comprising the Balotra Pollution Control Board, Revenue Department, administration and police demolished 11 illegal textile washing and dyeing industrial units at several locations and also demolished illegal wastewater ponds using JCB machines. The action continued until late evening.Balotra District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Kawat, IPS, said that the action was carried out in accordance with the directions of Lovely Katiyar, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Civil Rights and Anti-Human Trafficking, Rajasthan, Jaipur, who is the chairperson of the Special Investigation Team constituted by the Police Headquarters to investigate industrial pollution in the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system.Under the leadership of Babulal Muraria, RPS, Investigating Officer of the Special Investigation Team, and the Balotra Circle Officer, police, administration and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board jointly demolished a total of 11 illegal textile washing and dyeing industrial units operating in the areas under Patodi Police Outpost and Gida Police Station.He said that, as per the directions issued for legal action against illegal textile washing and dyeing industrial units in the Pachpadra police station area and against those illegally washing and dyeing textiles in isolated fields and causing pollution through waste chemical water, patrolling and beat visits were being conducted in urban and rural areas, particularly near rivers, drains, agricultural land and deserted areas.During such patrolling and on the basis of information received by beat constables, beat officers and intelligence personnel under the leadership of Pachpadra SHO Baburam, information was received that some textile washing and dyeing industrial units were being operated secretly in rural areas under the Patodi Police Outpost.Verification of the information led to the identification of nine illegal textile washing and dyeing industrial units in the Patodi Police Outpost area.The Superintendent of Police said that, as per procedure, a report regarding these illegal units was sent to the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Balotra, for necessary legal action.During physical verification by the Pollution Control Board team, eight units were found to be operating completely illegally. A detailed report in this regard was subsequently sent to the District Collector, Balotra.Similarly, information was received by the administration regarding three other illegal textile washing and dyeing industrial units, which were also verified.The Superintendent of Police said that, following this, on the orders of the District Collector, Balotra, police, administration and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Balotra, carried out a joint operation and demolished all 11 illegal textile washing and dyeing industrial units operating in rural areas.Legal action was also initiated as per the prescribed procedure.
