Mahabubnagar: Congress MLA threatens to set pharma unit on fire over effluent discharge

Congress MLA J Anirudh Reddy has issued a stern warning to the Pollution Control Board, threatening to set the Aurobindo Pharma unit ablaze if action is not taken against alleged effluent discharge into the Mudireddypally rivulet. The unit, located in Polepally SEZ, is accused of polluting waterbodies and harming agriculture.

Mahabubnagar: Congress MLA from Jadcherla, J Anirudh Reddy, threatened to set the Aurobindo pharma unit on fire on Sunday if officials failed to take action against the firm for allegedly discharging effluents into the Mudireddypally rivulet in his constituency.

The MLA has given the Pollution Control Board (PCB) a one-day deadline to initiate action against the unit. He said repeated complaints to the PCB, including raising the issue in the State Assembly, had gone unheeded.

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“Currently, I am in Karnataka with my family. If PCB officials fail to act, I will set the Aurobindo unit on fire at 11 am on Sunday,” Anirudh Reddy warned in a video message on Friday.

Operating from the Polepally SEZ, the Aurobindo unit has been releasing effluents into the Mudireddypally waterbody, causing fish to perish and polluting agricultural fields, he alleged.

The MLA recalled that several warnings had been issued to the pharma unit management to stop discharging effluents into the waterbody. Despite this, the management continued its practice, while PCB officials reportedly ignored the pollution, he said.

“Due to PCB inefficiency, farmers are suffering losses. The issue was raised in the Assembly as well, yet the PCB officials have not initiated any action against the Aurobindo unit,” Anirudh Reddy alleged.