The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently organized a seminar on Rules, Regulations, and compliance under the Factories Act: “Interpretation to Implementation”   in Visakhapatnam.

Delivering a special address during the Seminar Dr P Prasad Rao, Joint Chief Environmental Engineer, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board said the onus lies on us to create awareness among citizens and educate them on the dangers of environmental degradation and the need for protection and management. 

He underscored the need to avoid single-use plastic and also take measures towards water conservation.

Mr Aditya Kamat, Head – Legal Audit & Advisory, BCP Associates LLP explained in detail during the technical session the importance of safety and compliance in Factories, the extent and applicability of environmental compliance, and the risks associated with non-compliance, including the Bhopal Gas leak case.

Speaking on the topic of Ensuring Environmental Compliance, Trends, and Good Practices, Mr DVS Narayana Raju, Executive Director, Deccan Fine Chemicals underscored the need for active participation of Industry experts during the consultation process for preparing the final draft notifications by the regulatory agencies like MOEF and CPCB will lead to sustainable growth.

Dr P P Lal Krishna, Chairman, CII Visakhapatnam said implementing environmental regulations in Industrial Park is a critical step towards a sustainable future. 

Although there are challenges, the opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and competitive advantage are significant. By implementing environmental regulations, Industrial parks can reduce their impact on the environment and contribute to a healthier planet. 

Further, Dr Lal Krishna mentioned that climate change is causing significant harm to the environment, the coming decade calls for concentrated efforts towards building a climate-resilient future and this can come only from collaborative measures towards emission reduction, water use efficiency, climate-smart agriculture and conscious preservation of the natural ecosystem.

Mr Grandhi Rajesh, Vice Chairman of the CII Visakhapatnam, and Dr P S Tagore, Convenor, HR & IR Panel, CII Visakhapatnam also spoke on the need for the protection of the environment and strict compliance of the Factories Act.