Punjab Government has withdrawn the clearance given for setting up of a meat plant in Sangrur district while citing ‘larger public interest’. The withdrawal was made following demands from locals in the vicinity of Ghanauri Kalan village and also due to alleged violation of clearances terms and conditions.

The letter of Regulatory Clearances consisting the approval of Proposed Building Plans submitted by the industry under Factories Acts, 1948 and Punjab Factory Rules, 1952 granted to Shanoor Foods Private limited by the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP) on January 13, 2015 for setting up the meat plant at Ghanauri Kalan Village of Dhuri tehsil of Sangrur district has been withdrawn forth with in the public interest.

A statement from the Government said, “The PBIP has further directed the industry not to take any further development/construction activity regarding setting up of the meat plant.”

As per the report of Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, the unit had started construction in October 2014 while, as per the record of the Joint Director Factories, PBIP approved Building Plan on December 12, 2014, the release said. “Besides, letter of Regulatory Clearances (loRC II) was issued on January 13, 2015, thus, violating loRC’s conditions.

“After consideration of the violation of the loRC conditions and the report of the Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur about the possible law and order problem due to the ongoing public agitation, the PBIP has decided to reconsider the Regulatory Clearances,” the release detailed.

The release said that the Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur has informed that the residents of the area had been complaining against the setting up of this meat/slaughtering plant apprehending water and soil pollution, which they claimed may cause serious epidemic in the area. “This agitation was also supported by various social and religious organisations of the area,” the statement said.