Power disconnection stayed, flats get time to install STPs

Time of India

2 days ago

Kochi: Apartment complexes that were served disconnection notices by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for failing to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) received temporary relief, as pollution control board (PCB) decided to grant them more time to comply.
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The decision follows a directive from high court, offering a breather to the affected residential buildings.
KSEB issued disconnection notices to 71 residential apartment complexes across the city for failing to install STPs in compliance with PCB guidelines. The decision, which threatened to cut off electricity to over 1,500 households within a week, sparked widespread concern among residents.
When high court considered the suo motu case regarding the pollution of Thevara – Perandoor Canal, it also took into account the impleading petitions filed by different associations of affected apartment complexes and asked PCB to consider granting the petitioners reasonable time.
"Considering the main purpose of initiating suo motu petition is to address the environmental hazards caused by the accumulation of filth and garbage in the canal, as regards the grievance of the applicant noticees concerning the short time given by pollution control board for compliance, we direct that if an undertaking (along with resolutions in case of companies/societies) is submitted by the noticees (even other than the applicants) seeking reasonable time for compliance, the pollution control board will consider granting such reasonable time, provided the undertaking expresses a genuine intention of compliance," said the court order.
In the backdrop of the court order, the Consortium of Flat and Villa Owners Association, Kerala will convene a meeting of the affected families residing in 71 apartment complexes soon and each family will approach PCB with an affidavit or seek time for installing STPs. "Only three or four affected parties approached court. But the order is applicable to all. So, we have decided to approach PCB seeking extension of time.
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Each apartment association can demand time as per their requirement. We will coordinate the activities," said Saju Abraham, chairman of the consortium.
A senior official of KSPCB told TOI that they decided to accept undertakings from affected parties and KSPCB would grant proper time after examining conditions given in the undertakings.
HC will consider the case at the next hearing on Sept 11, and the consortium is planning to sort out the issues by submitting the undertakings to PCB before the date.
T J Vinod, MLA, strongly criticised KSEB, PCB and the municipality for issuing the notice. He said that he would bring the issue to the notice of chief minister. "PCB does not even have a list of approved agencies to establish STPs. Some flats received notice last month and are in the process of setting up sewage treatment systems, which could take up to 12 months to complete," said the MLA. All the flats that received the notice were built when these regulations were not in place.
The municipality's action of leaving these residents, who trusted the occupancy certificate provided by the municipality and started living in the flats, was unacceptable, stated the MLA.