The incense stick factory at Harnichak locality at Anisabad in Patna. Telegraph picture

Patna, July 28: Devotion has turned out to be a difficult proposition for residents of Harnichak locality in Anisabad. A small-scale incense stick factory operating in the residential area has posed severe health problems for them.

Preeti Kumari, a resident of the area, lives adjacent to the factory — Neelam Kutir Udyog — that spews carbon dioxide in the process of producing its sugandhi dhoop (scented incense sticks).

Preeti has developed asthma, thanks to the owner’s steadfastness in sticking to the locality to run his factory.

Preeti said: “Since the factory came up in 1997, we have been facing a lot of health complications. When we wake up in the morning, we feel severe irritation in our eyes and nose and find it difficult to breathe. By evening, every item in the house gets coated with the soot and dust generated by the factory.

“We have complained to the owner several times but he turns a deaf ear to our pleas. Even when we complain to the government, the officials demand a written complaint. We have done all that but no action has yet been taken.”

Arvind Kumar, another resident, said: “We face a lot of health problems and several people are suffering from asthma or tuberculosis. We had complained to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board in August last year. The board even cancelled the factory’s licence in December after which the factory remained closed for a few months. This year, it, however, restarted operations and the owner doesn’t even listen to us now.”

Arvind added: “When the factory came up, the area was sparsely populated. But now that it is a proper residential area, we are suffering.”

The owner of Neelam Kutir Udyog, Ram Krishna Singh, however, claims he is doing no wrong, rather he is generating more employment.

He said: “When we started operations in 1997, there were many factories like mine operating in the state capital. I don’t think that the people have any problem with the factory. I am generating employment and not doing any injustice. I don’t think I am wrong.”

When The Telegraph contacted Subhash Chandra Singh, the chairperson of Bihar State Pollution Control Board, he said: “We are aware of many such small factories that operate in residential areas. But we are yet to take action, as we are facing a severe manpower crunch, which makes it difficult for us to monitor every such operation. Ask the residents to submit another application to us. We will look into the matter, it can take around four to five days but action will be taken.”