MEERUT: Cracking down on thousands of pollution-emitting kolhus across the sugar belt, the western UP discom has issued directions for all the cane-crushing units across the 14 districts to get temporary power connections or face action. The crushing season begins along with the onset of winter. This is also when pollution levels witness a severe spike in the Delhi-NCR region. Besides stubble burning, kolhus are the emitters of pollution in the region and these units use plastic and other materials to run furnaces for the production of jaggery. I have directed PVVNL officials in different districts to ensure all kolhu operators get temporary power connections and they do not use scrap or sugarcane refuse to power up their furnaces which causes a great amount of pollution. If anyone is found flouting the norms, a case will be registered against them, said Chaitra V, Pashimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) managing director. The discom has set Rs 19,350 per kilowatt as a one-time tariff for six months and so far, 299 connections have been issued in the 14 districts that include Bijnor, Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat. Nitin Tyagi, a kolhu owner from the Mawana region of Meerut said, A medium-sized kolhu requires 15 kilowatts of power but the corporation is demanding over Rs 19,000 per kilowatt for six months. It is almost Rs 3 lakh for six months. This proposition is not practical as small players will not be able to sustain themselves.Rajvir Singh, a Bijnor-based Kolhu owner, said, There is a lot of strictness regarding burning of scrap and sugarcane refuse, so we got a power connection two years ago but the tariff is exorbitant.We also published the following articles recentlyFive dead in blast at illegal factory in Meerut districtA blast at an illegal factory in Meeruts Lohia Nagar locality resulted in the death of five people and injury to two others. The explosion caused the building to collapse and nearby houses were also affected. Rescue operations were immediately initiated by the police, fire brigade, and other teams. The blast also caused damage to a nearby house, injuring the occupants. The authorities are investigating the incident and will file an FIR against those responsible.Maharashtra: Sugarcane crushing season from November 1Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the start of this years sugarcane crushing season from November 1. The total sugarcane area available for crushing is estimated to be 14.07 lakh hectares, with a projected sugar production of 88.58 lakh metric tonnes. This marks a 6% decrease in sugarcane area compared to last year. Shinde has directed sugar mills to adhere to the scheduled date and has decided to collect Rs 10 per ton from the mills for the welfare of sugarcane workers and their families.Anti-pollution norms: NGT asks Haryana to give list of stone crushers in 2 districtsThe National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Haryana government to provide a report on stone-crushing units in Mahendragarh and Charkhi Dadri within eight weeks. The report should include information on compliance with anti-pollution norms, consent to establish and consent to operate. The directive was given in response to a petition highlighting violations of pollution norms and the negative impact on the environment and public health. The Haryana government has already reported that several units are in violation, with some being closed down. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for November 23.

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