Karnal, June 21 -- As many as 132 illegal bleach houses have been sealed in Panipat by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) in the last 10 years, revealed a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) reply. However, the board has imposed environmental compensation only on three such units, showed the document obtained by Delhi-based environmental activist Varun Gulati.

Gulati had sought information regarding the illegal bleach houses operating in the district since January 1, 2016, and the number of closures for the same period. The RTI, a copy of which is with HT, shows that the HSPCB imposed a penalty of Rs.35.20 lakh on Unique Enterprises in Karhans of Samalkha town in September 2024, Rs.2.12 lakh and Rs.1.75 lakh on two unnam...