The Water Act prohibits the use of any stream or well for the disposal of polluting matter, in violation of the standards set down
by the State Pollution Control Board (“State PCB”). The Water Act also provides that the consent of the State PCB must be
obtained prior to opening of any new outlets or discharges, which are likely to discharge sewage or effluent.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (“Air Act”)

The Air Act requires that any individual, industry or institution responsible for emitting smoke or gases must apply in a
prescribed form and obtain consent from the State PCB prior to establishing or operating any industrial plant in an air pollution
control area. The State PCB is required to grant, or refuse, consent within four months of receipt of the application. The consent
may contain conditions relating to specifications of pollution control equipment to be installed.

Environment Protection Act, 1986 (“EP Act”) and the Environment Protection Rules, 1986 (“EP Rules”)

The EP Act has been enacted with an objective of protection and improvement of the environment and for matters connected
therewith. As per the EP Act, the Central Government has been given the power to take all such measures for the purpose of
protecting and improving the quality of the environment and to prevent environmental pollution. Further, the Central
Government has been given the power to give directions in writing to any person or officer or any authority for any of the
purposes of the EP Act, including the power to direct the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process.
The EP Rules prescribes the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from industries, operations or
processes, for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing and abating environmental
pollution.

The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (“PLI Act”) and Public Liability Insurance Rules, 1991 (“PLI Rules”)

The primary objective of the PLI Act is to provide for public liability insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief
to the persons affected by accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance and for matters connected therewith or
incidental thereto. The PLI Act imposes a duty on the ‘owner’ to take out insurance policies before manufacturing, processing,
treating, storing, packaging or transporting hazardous substances, for any damage arising out of an accident involving such
hazardous substances. Hazardous substances have to be taken the meaning as provided under the Environmental Protection Act
and the list has been further enumerated by the government by way of a notification. The penalty for contravention of the
provisions of the PLI Act include imprisonment or fine or both. Further the PLI Rules mandate that the ‘owner’ contribute
towards the Environmental Relief Fund, a sum equal to the premium paid on the insurance policies.

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (“BMW Rules”)

The BMW Rules apply to all persons who generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose or handle bio-medical waste
in any form. The BMW Rules mandate every occupier of an institution generating bio-medical waste to take all necessary steps
to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and environment and inter alia to make
provisions for a safe premises, ventilated and secured location for storage of segregated bio-medical waste, pre-treat laboratory
waste and provide training to workers involved in handling bio-medical waste. The BMW Rules further require such persons
to apply to the prescribed authority for grant of authorization and submit an annual report to the prescribed authority and also
to maintain records related to the generation, collection, receipt, storage, transportation, treatment, disposal, or any form of
handling of bio-medical waste in accordance with the BMW Rules and the guidelines issued thereunder.

Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 (“Hazardous Waste Rules”)

The Hazardous Waste Rules define the term ‘hazardous waste’ to include any waste which by reason of physical, chemical,
biological, reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive characteristics cause danger or is likely to cause danger to health
or environment, whether alone or in contact with other wastes or substances including waste specified in the schedules to the
Hazardous Waste Rules. In terms of the Hazardous Waste Rules, occupiers, being persons who have control over the affairs of
a factory or premises or any person in possession of hazardous or other waste, have been, inter alia, made responsible for safe
and environmentally sound management of hazardous and other wastes generated in their establishments and are required to
obtain license/ authorisation from the respective State PCB for handling, generation, collection, storage, packaging,
transportation, usage, treatment, processing, recycling, recovery, pre-processing, co-processing, utilising, selling, transferring
or disposing hazardous or other waste.

The Manufacturing, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 (“MSIHC Rules

 

The MSIHC Rules stipulate that an occupier in control of an industrial activity has to provide evidence to show that he has
identified the major accident hazards and taken adequate steps to prevent such major accidents and to limit their consequences
to persons and the environment. Further, the occupier has an obligation to show that he has provided necessary information,
training and equipment, including antidotes, to the persons working on the site to ensure their safety. Also, the occupier is under
an obligation to notify the concerned authority of the occurrence of a major accident upon the site or in a pipeline within 48
hours of such accident.

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