Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday suspended the closure notice that the state pollution control board served on Amara Raja Batteries (ARBL), owned by the family members of opposition Lok Sabha member Galla Jayadev, providing temporary relief to one of India’s largest manufacturers of lead-acid batteries for industrial and automotive applications.
The high court on Wednesday suspended a similar closure notice that the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) had served on Zuari Cement with its manufacturing facility located in chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s native district Kadapa.
The relief to ARBL also comes days after the ruling YSR Congress Party’s (YCP) rebel Lok Sabha member Kanumuri Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office to curb the alleged witch-hunting of businesses in Andhra. Raju cited the examples of ARBL and Zuari Cement, two large firms that were served closure notices by the APPCB.
A week after issuing closure order for Zuari Cement in CM Reddy’s native Kadapa district based on complaints by the villagers, the APPCB served similar closure notices on ARBL on April 30. ARBL said it was examining various options and preparing for possible recourse to ensure that the interests of stakeholders were protected. Claiming that it adhered to the highest level of environmental and safety standards, the firm contested the closure orders before the high court.
Apart from suspending the closure orders issued by APPCB, the high court ordered the restoration of power supply to ARBL. The court asked the company to implement the stipulations of the APPCB by June 17 and advised the board to file the report.
The company said that it is reviewing the orders and will take all necessary steps as may be necessary and available to protect the interests of all stakeholders.