Extension of moratorium to affect investments: Assocham

Centre said that lifting of the ban would depend on whether the state was forthcoming with remedial plans to combat air and ground water pollution.

By PTI | Updated: Nov 22, 2011, 06.30 PM IST

KOLKATA: Apex trade body Assocham today said that extension of moratorium by Centre till March next year would affect industrial progress in the critically polluted hubs of Haldia, Asansol and Howrah in West Bengal.

Assocham said Centre had identified the three places as critically polluted with CEPI (comprehensive environmental pollution index) above 70 on a scale from 0 to 100.

Co-chairman of Assocham eastern regional development council Debmalya Banerjee said in a statement that extension of the ban on setting up polluting industries like petrochemicals, coke oven, coal washeries, power and others till March next year would not attract investments in the region.

Centre said that lifting of the ban would depend on whether the state was forthcoming with remedial plans to combat air and ground water pollution.

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