Filing and Submission Requirements

The filing procedure generally includes the following steps:

1. Data Compilation: Units collect monthly data on emissions, discharges, resource usage, waste generation, and treatment.
2. Document Preparation: Data is filled into the Monthly Patrak format provided by the regulator. This may be manual, spreadsheet-based, or through online portals depending on the State.
3. Verification: Environmental or EHS personnel validate correctness of the data. In some cases, external lab reports (SPCB/NABL accredited) are attached for monitoring values.
4. Submission Mode:
   • Physical Submission: Printed form submitted at SPCB-PCC regional offices (in legacy formats).
   • Online Submission: Through SPCB online consent/compliance systems or pollution monitoring portals (in many states digital systems are mandated).
5. Submission Timeline: Typically due by the 7th–10th of every month for the preceding month, but deadlines can vary by jurisdiction.
6. Record Keeping: Units must retain copies for audits, inspections, or certification processes

4. Key Sections & Parameters Included in Monthly Patrak

Although formats differ by State, a standard Monthly Patrak usually contains the following sections:

Water Consumption & Wastewater Management

Parameters may include:

• • Source of water (Borewell/Municipal/Surface)
  • Monthly water consumption in m³/day
  • Process water vs. domestic water usage
  • Effluent generation quantity
  • Effluent treatment plant (ETP/STP) performance
  • Treated discharge quality (parameters like pH, BOD, COD, TSS, Oil & Grease)
  • Mode of disposal (Reuse/Discharge/Zero Liquid Discharge)
  • Sludge handling & disposal records

May require attaching laboratory test certificates from authorized labs.

Air Emissions & Air Pollution Control

Parameters include:

• • Stack emissions from boilers, furnaces, generators, etc.
  • Fuel type and consumption (e.g., coal, HSD, PNG)
  • Emission parameters such as PM, SO₂, NOx
  • Calibration & functionality of Air Pollution Control Equipment (APCE)
  • Ambient Air Quality Monitoring results (if mandated)

Also includes details of control equipment like:

• • Bag filters
  • Wet scrubbers
  • ESP (Electrostatic Precipitators)
  • DG-set silencers, etc.

Hazardous Waste & Solid Waste Management

Includes:

• • Hazardous waste generation (type, category, quantity)
  • Manifest tracking under Hazardous Waste Management Rules
  • Storage and disposal channel (e.g., TSDF, recycler, co-processing)
  • Non-hazardous solid waste (scrap, packaging, organic waste)
  • E-waste and battery waste (where applicable)

Regulatory Framework

Monthly Patrak requirements link to:

• • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016
  • Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
  • E-Waste Rules, 2022
  • Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

Compliance boards periodically revise formats to match updated rules.

7. Digital Integration & Automation Trends

Across multiple states, SPCBs have shifted to:

• • Online consent management systems
  • Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS)
  • Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (CETP/CEMS)
  • Online return filing & auto-validation

Integration reduces manual errors and improves transparency.