The Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) on Monday evening withdrew the notice it had served on Oil India Limited to “close down” all production and drilling operations in Baghjan oil field area in Upper Assam where a blowout and subsequent fire have adversely affected life, livelihood and the ecology. A senior Oil India official told The Telegraph on Monday evening: “Our CMD spoke to the PCBA chairman, following which we submitted everything they sought from us. The pollution board also sought details of hazardous waste generated and disposed, treatment facilities and taking necessary action for proper disposal of e-waste. Sonowal had told reporters it was an issue between Oil India and PCBA and that the state government will intervene when “our time will come”. In its two-page communiqué ordering closure of all Oil India operations on June 19, the PCBA has accused the company of “nonchalantly violating the provision of law in force, causing pollution to the environment”.

Source: The Telegraph June 22, 2020 22:41 UTC