Jamshedpur, Nov. 17: The state pollution control board has directed Tata Power and Usha Beltron to provide flyash to brick klin owners within 50 km radius of the plants.

The directive was issued at a meeting with brick-kiln owners and officials of the power plants at the regional office of Jharkhand Pollution Control Board (JPCB) in Adityapur recently.

Sources at JPCB revealed that during the meeting, officials of the power plants were asked to provide free flyash to such brick-kiln owners.

JPCB officials also emphasised the responsibility of power plants to provide certification ensuring the quality of flyash.

The JPCB move comes in the wake of a recent directive issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) making it mandatory for brick-kilns located within a 50 km radius of thermal power plants to utilise fly ash for manufacturing brick.

According to Ashok Uppal, CEO of Tata Power, the law does not permit sale of flyash.

Brick-kiln owners can take them free of cost thus taking care of the disposal of fly ash.

Tata Power generates about 1,500 tonnes of flyash per month, he said.

“For proper execution of pollution control board directive, we are soon going to float advertisements in the newspapers inviting brick-kiln owners to purchase flyash from us” said Uppal.

Sources said there are about 40 brick-kilns spread in the two districts of Singhbhum and the adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan.

Officials of Usha Beltron, another power plant based at Gamharia, have also expressed willingness to provide fly-ash to brick-kiln owners.

A senior pollution control board official explained that use of flyash would make the bricks stronger, lighter and cheaper. Non-compliance with the directive would lead to a cancellation of licence.