Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted to Shree Cement Limited for its Khapradih, Chhattisgarh plant. The response addresses concerns about limestone linkage, data transparency, potential financial irregularities, and complaints against Unit 3. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted the EC on 11.09.2019 and has taken action based on complaints received.
Key Points / Main Content:
Environmental Clearance (EC) Details:
* An EC was granted to Shree Cement Limited on 11.09.2019 for expansion of clinker production from 5.2 MTPA to 13.5 MTPA and cement production from 6 MTPA to 16.5 MTPA.
* The EC also included expansion of Waste Heat Recovery Power Plant (15 to 30 MW), Captive Power Plant (25 to 125 MW), and a Synthetic Gypsum Unit (65 Tons per Hour).
* The EC was linked to the proposed expansion of the Bharuwadih Samradih and Karhi Chandi limestone mines.
* The limestone must be sourced from existing captive mines, and any change requires prior permission from MoEFCC.
* ECs were granted to Bharuwadih Samradih and Karhi Chandi limestone mines on 27.08.2020 and 15.05.2020, respectively, for limestone production.
Transparency and Compliance:
* The project proponent is mandated to upload data regarding compliance with EC conditions, and this has been reported for the period 2024-25.
* Complaints received regarding compliance are recommended for appropriate action as per EIA Notifications, 2006.
Complaints and Actions:
* Two complaints were received regarding the operations of the cement project.
* The Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) inspected the unit from 22.01.2025 to 23.01.2025.
* CECB directed the unit to stop operations of Kiln 2, Kiln 3, and the Coprocessing facility under Section 31A of the Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981.
* CECB imposed environmental compensation of ₹4,00,000 (dated 27.02.2025) and ₹10,20,000 (dated 28.03.2025) for violations related to hazardous waste management and air pollution.
Impact Analysis:
Shree Cement Limited:
* Impact: Subject to EC conditions, including limestone sourcing restrictions and compliance reporting. Penalties and operational restrictions can be imposed for non-compliance.
* Action Required: Ensure compliance with EC conditions, including limestone sourcing. Continue to upload compliance data, and address any violations identified by CECB.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
* Impact: Responsible for ensuring compliance with EC conditions and addressing public concerns.
* Action Required: Monitor Shree Cement Limited's compliance with EC conditions, address complaints received, and take appropriate action based on violations.
Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB):
* Impact: Responsible for local environmental oversight and enforcement.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor Shree Cement Limited's operations, enforce environmental regulations, and address violations.
Local Communities:
* Impact: Potentially affected by the environmental impact of Shree Cement Limited's operations.
* Action Required: Report any environmental concerns or violations to the CECB and MoEFCC.
Key Entities Referenced
Shree Cement Limited: A cement manufacturing company that received Environmental Clearance (EC) for its production capacity.
Khapradih, Chhattisgarh: Location of Shree Cement Limited's plant in the state of Chhattisgarh, India.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The Indian government ministry responsible for granting Environmental Clearances and overseeing environmental regulations.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): An organization that received complaints against Shree Cement Unit3 and provides information related to compliance of environmental regulations.
Bharuwadih Samradih limestone mines: Limestone mines from which Shree Cement Limited sources limestone, with specific area of 531.126 ha.
Karhi Chandi limestone mine: Limestone mine from which Shree Cement Limited sources limestone, with specific area of 242.127 ha.
Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB): The state environment regulatory body that inspected Shree Cement's unit and took action against violations.
Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981: An environmental law under which CECB directed Shree Cement to stop operations and imposed environment compensation.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3939
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
Environmental Clearance to Shree Cement Ltd
3939. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Shree Cement Limited, Khapradih, Chhattisgarh received
Environment Clearance (EC) from the Government for 13.5 Million Tonnes Per Annum
(MTPA) clinker and 16.5 MTPA cement production was directly granted including the
production in Unit-3, however, the company admitted during the EC assessment that
there is only 13 MTPA limestone linkage;
(b) whether the data for the year 2024-25 has not yet been made public which raises
questions on transparency;
(c) whether such instance indicates organized financial crimes such as tax evasion, illegal
mining, manipulation in balance sheet and money laundering; and
(d) the number of complaints received by the Government and Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) against Shree Cement Unit-3 during the last five years and the current
year along with the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a)to(d) An Environment Clearance (EC) was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 11-09-2019 to M/s Shree Raipur Cement Plant (a
unit of M/s Shree Cement Limited) in respect of a project located near Village
Khapradih, Tehsil Simga, District Balodabazar – Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh. The EC
was accorded for expansion in production of clinker manufacturing from 5.2 Million
Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) to 13.5 MTPA and cement manufacturing from 6 MTPA
to 16.5 MTPA, along with Waste Heat Recovery Power Plant from 15 to 30 MW,
Captive Power Plant from 25 MW to 125 MW and Synthetic Gypsum Unit of 65 Tons
per Hour. As per the submission made by the Project Proponent (PP), the proposed
expansion involved enhancement of production in existing Units 1 and 2, and setting
up of new Unit-3 in a phase-wise manner and proposed enhancement in production
was linked to proposed expansion of Bharuwadih - Samradih and Karhi - Chandi
limestone mines. In light of the linkage of mines, an EC condition was also prescribed
as mentioned below:
The limestone for the project shall be sourced only from (i) Existing Captive
Semradih & Bharuwadih Limestone (M.L Area 531.126 ha) and (ii) Karhi -Chandi Limestone Mine (ML area 242.127 ha) which are located adjacent to
plant site. In case of any change in source of limestone, the project proponent
shall obtain prior permission from MoEF&CC.
Subsequently, the Ministry accorded ECs to the Bharuwadih - Samradih and Karhi -
Chandi limestone mines on 27-08-2020 and 15-05-2020 for limestone production of
11.06 MTPA and 1.5 MTPA, respectively. The project proponent is mandated to
upload the data regarding compliance of the EC conditions and the same has been
reported for period 2024-25. The complaints received regarding the compliance of
EC conditions are duly recommended for appropriate action as per the relevant
provisions of EIA Notifications, 2006 as amended from time to time. Two (2)
complaints were received regarding the operations of the Cement project. As per the
information received from CPCB, the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board
(CECB) had inspected the unit during 22.01.2025 to 23.01.2025, and directed the unit
to stop the operations of Kiln 2, Kiln 3 and Co-processing facility under Section 31(A)
of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 during inspection. Further,
CECB imposed environment compensation of ₹4,00,000/- vide letter dated
27.02.2025 and ₹10,20,000/- vide letter dated 28-03-2025 for violation of the
provisions of Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary
Movement) Rules, 2016 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
*****