Chandigarh: Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a press release issued here today disclosed, that the Legislative wing of AAP had decided to take up the burning issue of dangerous contamination and pollution in the rivers, rivulets, canals and drains of Punjab, with the National Green Tribunal, Delhi.
Khaira said this step was necessitated as the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had miserably failed to discharge its duty to protect environment and pollution in the rivers of the state, primarily caused due to untreated industrial waste allowed to flow into the rivulets and rivers of the state. Khaira said its common knowledge that like other government departments, PPCB too works under political pressure.
Citing the latest release of noxious molasses of Chadha Sugar Mill of Kiri Afghana, that took the toll of thousands and lacs of fish and other species living in the rivers, Khaira lambasted Capt. Amarinder Singh Chief Minister for failing to take stringent action against such violations. Khaira said it is an open secret that the family of late Ponty Chadha and the Sarna’s of Delhi are very closely connected to the Chief Minister, hence the government and the PPCB have turned mute spectators to the disaster in our rivers.
Khaira said he was alarmed to note the huge quantum of industrial toxic waste, medical waste, untreated sewerage of villages and Ludhiana city flowing in the infamous Budda-Nala. He claimed more than 7.5 million liters of such waste flows through the Budda-Nala everyday and merges with river Sutlej at V. Balipur in Ludhiana district, wrecking havoc on water species, animals including live stock and of course the lives of people of the state.
Khaira said it was a matter of great shame for Capt. Amarinder Singh who claims to be “Pannian-Da-Rakha” (savior of the waters), that the people of his Malwa region particularly the districts of Mansa, Muaktsar, Faridkot, Bathinda etc., are drinking grossly poisonous and contaminated water flowing from the Sirhind canal into the water works of the villages. He said the latest poison released in the river Beas and Sutlej is bound to multiply many more times the spread of cancer, hepatitis, kidney failure etc. in the Malwa region and the state.
Keeping in view the gravity of the situation and the inability of Capt. Amarinder Singh and the PPCB to effectively deal with the alarming levels of pollution threatening humanity and living creatures, AAP had decided to move the NGT for strict action and corrective measures on the burning issue, for which they would be meeting the Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim of the NGT tomorrow 2 PM at Delhi.