BENGALURU, 16 APRIL

The Karnataka High Court has sought an explanation from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) regarding its sudden order to shut down the Siddhasiri ethanol plant, owned by MLA Basanagowda Patil Yatnal's family.

Yatnal has filed a petition challenging KSPCB's decision to close down the ethanol unit on 25 January. The petition was heard by a Division Bench comprising Anjaria and Krishna S Dixit. The bench questioned the grounds for the abrupt shutdown, emphasising the need for transparency in the decision-making process.

The counsel for the petitioner highlighted during the hearing that the plant had previously received permission to operate. The environment department has reportedly not granted permission to run this unit, leading to its closure. The hearing has been scheduled for 4 June. Earlier, on 18 January, the Senior Environment Officer of the Kalaburagi Zone issued a notice to shut down the Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power Plant located in Chincholi Taluk of Kalaburagi District.

During previous hearings, the petitioner's lawyer had alleged that the plant was being forced to shut down for political reasons. However, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty countered this claim, asserting that the factory was not complying with the established rules, leading to regulatory action. He clarified that there were no political motives behind the closure. Salar News