Waste water mgmt a headache for AP pharma SMEs

HYDERABAD, INDIA: Absence of appropriate and adequate waste water treatment technology is affecting the small scale pharma units in Andhra Pradesh, according to a report by Pharmabiz.com.

Industry leaders say that two effluent treatment plants in the state - Jeedimetla Effluent Technology Limited and Patancheru effluent Technology Limited - are not enough for their operation. They allege that over the past few years, the state government had not given much attention to their demands for setting up waste water treatment plants or common effluent treatment plants.

On the contrary, the government is insisting the small scale units on installing their own water treatment and waste treatment plants. The industry leaders say that it is not affordable for them as each plant costs anywhere between Rs.3.5 to 4 crore.

Also read: Opportunities abound for SMEs to adopt IT

“Many of the smaller units are sending their effluents by tankers to the plants. The Pollution Control Board (PCB) is charging huge fees for the facility, which is not affordable for smaller units. Having realized this, some of the small pharma units have already installed low-cost waste water plants in their own premises,” said Ranga Rao, executive director, Bulk Drugs Manufacturers' Association (BDMA).

Water being one of the key inputs for the pharma industry, its availability and recycling with efficient treatment technology is critical for the industry. “PETL and JETL are serving the purpose for the time being, but this is not enough keeping in view of the large number of units in the state. Gujarat has 17 effluent treatment plants compared to the two pants in the state, and this shows how backward is the state in the pollution control initiatives,” said the BDMA chief.

Also read: BSE SME Exchange eyes 1 mn listings



More over, the availability of basic infrastructure facilities like land, water, power and common effluent treatment plants for pharma sector have come to a standstill in the state. To top it all, the industry leaders say, the small pharma units in the state are being harassed by officials in the PCB.

“PCB officials are taking action against small and medium scale units for allegedly not complying with the pollution control norms, despite the fact that most of them follow the rules. The government should understand that it is the duty of the PCB to co-ordinate with all the units and bring them together on one platform to resolve any issues pertaining to pollution. Instead, PCB officials are resorting to corrupt practices and looting the small units,” Ranga Rao said.

Andhra Pradesh, during the last few years, had lost a revenue of Rs 36,000 crore worth of investments, because of the lackadaisical and step-motherly attitude by the state government.

Also read: SMEs unhappy over RBI's interest rate hike

Once being India’s top pharma hub, the state is fast losing its sheen with more and more pharma companies migrating to other low cost and cess free destinations like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.