New Delhi: Pharmaceutical units in Daman are operating in compliance with environmental and regulatory norms, the Union Government informed Parliament on Thursday.
Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt. Anupriya Patel shared the details in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on February 13. She cited information provided by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, which confirmed that 40 manufacturing units are currently operational in the Union Territory.
According to inputs from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), all the units hold valid authorisation to handle hazardous and bio-medical waste. This authorisation ensures that companies follow prescribed procedures for safe storage, treatment and disposal of waste generated during pharmaceutical production.
Importantly, there is no Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Daman. However, the pharmaceutical units in Daman function under a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system. Under this system, companies treat wastewater within their premises and reuse it in the manufacturing process. As a result, they do not release untreated effluents into the environment.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that authorities have not registered any cases against these companies under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. No violations have come to the government’s notice so far, which indicates adherence to existing environmental safeguards.
The regulatory framework places responsibility on both central and local authorities to monitor compliance. Environmental clearances, waste management authorisations and routine inspections form part of the oversight mechanism. Through these measures, the government aims to ensure that industrial growth does not compromise ecological balance.
Overall, the Centre maintained that pharmaceutical units in Daman continue to operate within the legal framework, while meeting environmental standards and maintaining waste management safeguards.
