Building a Wider
Horizon With Labour
‘Orientation Workshop on Green Technology for Brick Kilns of Tripura’ Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel, Agartala, Tripura 11th august 2017 Agenda of the meeting 1. Inaugural session (watering of plant) 2. Brief overview about CEC’s work & Green Bricks- Decent Work Project by CEC 3. Inaugural addressed by Prof. Mihir Kanti Dey (chairman, TSPCB) 4. Program presided by Dr.SP Gonochaudhary (President, NBIRT) 5. Closing of the inaugural 6. Technical session (Sonal Kumar, Greentech Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd) 7. Sharing experience using Green Technology (Mr. OP Badlani, Prayag Kilns) 8. Questionnaire round 9. Requirement of EC by Mihir Das (Scientist-C, TSPCB) 10. Closing the event Members present on the Dais Professor Mihir Kanti Dey. Chairman, TSPCB (Guest of Honour) Dr. SP Gonochaudhury. President, NBIRT Mrs. Arati Pandya. Executive Director, CEC PROCESS OF THE EVENT Inaugural program: The event was scheduled as per the agenda to start by 12.00 noon with an inaugural opening. Mrs. Bijita Nath, Honourable minister of science, technology and environment was suppose to inaugurate the program by watering the plant symbolising a better environment around us. However due to the flood situation, she was unable to attend the function. The event started at 12.35 pm and the program was inaugurated by Professor Mihir Kanti Dey. Chairman, TSPCB (Guest of Honour), Dr. SP Gonochaudhury. President, NBIRT and Mrs. Arati Pandya. Executive Director, CEC. They also addressed the crowd one by one on the importance of green technology for the state. Arati Pandya addressed in hindi for the understanding of the participants as per their convenient. She welcomed all the participants and the members on the dias on behalf of CEC. Also a brief introduction about CEC and the kind of work the organisation does was shared to all. CEC, an NGO based in New Delhi working on labour rights by doing an excessive research, advocacy, capacity building also promotes technology innovations for the betterment of workers. A brief history about the work that was done in Tripura such as OSH study, environmental test and collaboration with TSPCB was also shared at the meeting. Later how the project will take owners for exposure and incentives on first come first serve basis for promoting technical innovations was also announced for Tripura. Prof Mihir kanti dey encouraged the brick kiln owners on accepting the zig zag technology for better environment results however he stressed more on the welfare of labour perspectives. He said that kiln owner should keep their workers healthy for healthy production and healthy environment. He talked about Tripura being chosen as one of the project state should set as a leading example to other states with better and true results by adopting the technology. Mr. S.P Gonochaudhary closed the inaugural speech by saying that India is a developing country, therefore construction of roads and houses is rapid and brick is a very important component. Likewise he said that Tripura is also a developing state and therefore people are constructing more houses. He also mention that involvement of TSPCB is because of the concern for unburn coal which produce carbon dioxide in the environment which is not good. He pointed that one should be liable to the environment for better future and for the younger generation to breathe in a clean air. He urge all the kiln owner to adapt the new technology towards modernisation so that emission could be less and production is more, which is also a win-win situation for them. He spoke about exposure in UP, first come first serve subsidy and skill training in Arkaneer located in Sekerkote. Technical session and Self - Experience: The session was taken over by Sonal Kumar from Greentech Knowledge Solutions Pvt.Ltd, who is an expert on the technology aspect. He shared that their institute does a lot of research and study on the quality and production of the bricks. They have worked internationally as well with countries like china, Nepal, Bangladesh, vietnam etc. He shared small videos and pictures to explain about the technology, about the inflow of hot air in different parts and how the temperature can be maintained. He explained about the technicality of fixed chimney method and then comparing how zig-zag is more useful in terms of production, savings of coal and cutting down of emissions. The technical session was then followed by Mr. OP Badlani from Prayag Kilns who shared his personal experience such as issues on non-availability of workers throughout the season, the requirement of high cost on coal and other legal procedures on brick industry by the government. He attributed lack of technical knowledge amongst owners, reluctance to take support from experts of this sector & resistance to change and re-invest in to advancement of the kiln unit as major reason for stagnation in the industry. For addressing all these concerns he explained about the zig-zag technology and how his personal experience has changed the entire concept therefore which he has also become a person to promote the technology. Question/Answer Round: The main question was pertaining the cost involved in adopting the technology as asked by the brick kiln owners. Mr Badlani said that it will cost from 10-20 lakhs however it totally depends on the kiln condition after assessment. If the kiln owner wants skilled labour, if requirement is there for small equipments such as measuring temperature etc or any other requirement in the kiln will add on to the cost. Some owner also question as to how to get skilled workers to which Mr.Badlani said that the project has the provision of training worker through WSDC. Additionally, Prayag kilns will be training their people if needed also train the manager etc., however at least 1 season has to be given to them. Requirements on Environmental Clearance: The EC concern was taken up by Mr. Mihir Das from TSPCB. He explained in brief about the requirements of the environment clearance through government or private agency which currently is not there in Tripura. He also suggested them to search online and approach the respective agency or else operation of the brick kiln this season will be stopped for all the kiln owners who don’t have the EC certificate. He talked about cluster where in distance between two kiln should be less than 500 m. And more than 500 m then it doesn’t fall under a cluster. He advised them to get the EC as soon as possible for smooth functioning of the kiln for the current season. The owners were upset to know that government have levied many rules and regulations for running a kiln. Later the event was sum up by Arati Pandya, CEC and the announcement of subsidy was given again to encourage the brick kiln owners to come forward and accept Natural Draught Zig-Zag Technology towards advancement and modernisation. Vote of thanks was given by Anima, CEC to all the participants specially and the event was concluded successfully. Expected Outcome of the event: After the event, there is expectation that more and more people will be convince to adapt the zig-zag technology which will indirectly give us access to the kiln as well. Participants will have a better understanding of the technology and how it is helpful in reducing the emission level and also why they require skilled workers to operate. Association with TSPCB will help us to lead more doorways to other government departments as well. Owners will come up for exposure visit and agree for kiln conversion which will also help CEC to absorb the skilled workers in their kiln.
