Raipur/New Delhi. Senior BJP leader and Raipur MP Brijmohan Aggarwal raised the issue of illegal disposal of ‘Spent Pot Lining’ (SPL), a highly toxic waste from aluminum plants, its dangerous adulteration in commercial coal and its harmful side effects on public health in the Lok Sabha on the first day of the monsoon session on Monday. MP Brijmohan sought information from the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the illegal activities of industrial units by mixing toxic SPL with commercial coal and selling it.

Brijmohan Aggarwal drew the government’s attention to the serious health risks posed by toxic waste to the general public in the context of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) reports submitted by the aluminum sector. He sought details of safe disposal of SPL in cement industries and violations recorded in the last 5 years. Aggarwal advocated fixing the accountability of aluminum producing companies directly in case of failure of third party vendors. He sought information on steps taken to ensure protection of the fundamental right to clean environment of citizens living near aluminum plants.

In response to the starred questions raised by MP Aggarwal, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirtvardhan Singh clarified that adulteration of toxic SPL in commercial coal is completely illegal and there is a provision for strict legal action against the units doing so.

Adulteration of SPL in coal is completely banned

The government clarified that SPL is considered ultra-hazardous waste under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Transportation) Rules, 2016 (Schedule-1, Item 11.2). Mixing or selling it with commercial coal is a legal offense. Its disposal is possible only through authorized recyclers or TSDF facilities. The government informed that the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has been given full powers to immediately shut down factories, impose heavy environmental fines and initiate criminal prosecution for violation of rules.

The producing company will be responsible for recycling toxic waste.

The government said that under the new amendments notified on July 1, 2025, the system of ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR) has been implemented on aluminum producers from April 1, 2026. Now it will be mandatory for companies to be registered on the digital portal of CPCB and the entire responsibility of recycling toxic waste will be on the original producing company.

Mixing toxic spent pot lining with coal is illegal: MP

MP Brijmohan Aggarwal says that Chhattisgarh is a major industrial state, where many big aluminum smelters and plants are operating. Development is necessary, but not at the cost of the health of our citizens and the environmental protection of the sacred land of Chhattisgarh. Selling toxic Spent Pot Lining (SPL) mixed with coal is playing with our water, air and soil as well as the lives of the general public. It has become clear from the government’s reply in Parliament that this type of adulteration is completely illegal.

Providing clean air and water to people is our priority: Brijmohan

MP Aggarwal said that I expect the State Pollution Control Board to strictly monitor the aluminum plants, third-party vendors and cement kilns of Chhattisgarh. If any unit is found violating the rules, then not only paperwork should be done against it, but concrete action should be taken like sealing the plant and registering a criminal case. Providing clean air and water to the citizens of Chhattisgarh is our first priority.

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