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Maharashtra Council Alarmed Over "Forever Chemicals" Production in Konkan

The Maharashtra Legislative Council raised serious concerns over the production of hazardous PFAS chemicals at the Lote-Parshuram industrial area by Laxmi Organic. Minister Pankaja Munde informed the House that production has stopped and the government has appointed the Institute of Chemical Technology to inspect the facility and submit a report within 60 days. Opposition members alleged the company is linked to an Italian firm banned for PFAS production, with the same imprisoned individual on its board. The minister clarified that PFAS is not banned in India but its production is restricted, and the government will act based on the inspection findings.

Key Points: Maharashtra Acts on Hazardous PFAS Chemicals in Konkan

  • PFAS "forever chemicals" production halted
  • Italian banned firm link alleged
  • State orders 60-day inspection report
  • Health and Konkan environment at risk
2 min read

Maha: Council raises concern over company producing hazardous chemicals​

Maharashtra orders inspection of Laxmi Organic's PFAS plant after Council outcry over health and environmental risks in Ratnagiri.

"The government has appointed the Institute of Chemical Technology to inspect the production facility - Pankaja Munde"

Mumbai, March 16

Amid the controversy over the production of hazardous polyfluoroalkyl substances at the Lote-Parshuram industrial area in Ratnagiri district by Laxmi Organic and its effects on health and the Konkan environment, Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde on Monday said the government has appointed the Institute of Chemical Technology to inspect the production facility and the surrounding area and submit a report within 60 days. ​

She also informed the House that the company has stopped production of PFAS. PFAS are often called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body.​

Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap, through a calling attention motion, raised the issue of unrest in Konkan over the production of PFAS. ​

He alleged that a company banned in Italy for PFAS production has been operating in Lote-Parshuram MIDC under a different name and that the same person who was imprisoned in Italy in this case is on its board of directors. He demanded that PFAS production be banned.​

NCP (SP) member Shashikant Shinde supported the demand and called for state government action.​

BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare alleged that, following action by the Italian government against Miteni S.p.A. in 2018, the same production facility was dismantled and brought to India in 2019 under the name Laxmi Organic.​

In her reply, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde clarified that Laxmi Organic received permission for the production facility because PFAS is not banned in India. She said the company had produced 31.37 metric tonnes of PFAS, but after protests, it stopped production in the last week of December 2025.​

Munde said PFAS is not banned in India, but its production is restricted through stringent conditions. She added that the chemical does not decompose, which raises concerns. She said that after receiving complaints, the government appointed ICT to inspect the production facility at Lote-Parshuram and submit a report. ​

She added that once ICT submits its report, the government will take further steps accordingly and assured the House that no one would be spared.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good that production has stopped and an inspection is ordered. But why did it take protests and an uproar in the council for this action? The authorities should be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to "forever chemicals" that can poison our water and soil for generations. The 60-day wait for the report feels too long for such an urgent matter.
A
Aman W
As someone from Maharashtra, this makes my blood boil. The Konkan coast is our pride, not an industrial sacrifice zone. The fact that the same person jailed in Italy is on the board here shows sheer audacity. Full support to Bhai Jagtap and Shashikant Shinde for raising this. Hope the ICT report is impartial and leads to a permanent ban.
S
Sarah B
While the situation is serious, I appreciate that Minister Munde has given a clear timeline and appointed a reputable institute like ICT. Sometimes due process is necessary, even if it feels slow. The assurance that "no one will be spared" is strong. Let's wait for the technical report before jumping to conclusions, though the Italian connection is very concerning.
K
Karthik V
"Not banned in India" is a pathetic excuse for granting permission. Our environmental regulations are a joke. 31+ metric tonnes of forever chemicals produced before stopping? Imagine the damage already done. We need a complete overhaul of the pollution control boards and much stricter laws. Jai Hind, but this is a national shame.
N
Nisha Z
This is why public vigilance is so important. Kudos to the locals and activists who protested. Sometimes it feels like our leaders only wake up when there's a huge

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