Taking note of industrial waste polluting river waters in Jalandhar and Kapurthala, Punjab State Human Rights Commission on Monday sought reports from the secretaries of local Government Department, Public Health Department, and the Punjab Pollution Control Board by December 27 — the next date of hearing of the matter.
Besides, report has also been called from the Deputy Commissioners of Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts.
Taking note of media reports, the commission noted that contrary to the claims of the Punjab Government and the PPCB that emphasis is being laid on ensuring clean and green environment in the State, the practice of discharging domestic waste and untreated industrial effluents into drains, rivulets and water channels continues in Jalandhar and Kapurthala.
The Commission’s Full Bench, headed by PSHRC chairperson Justice (retired) Jagdish Bhalla, pointed that work affected is Kala Sanghian drain, which originates from Bullandpur village in Jalandhar and goes to Chiti Bein which finally connects with the Sutlej.
“In Kapurthala, untreated sewage waste is polluting Kali Bein. Same is the fate of Wadala Drain. It emerges with Kali Bein, which finally falls into the Beas. The pollution of drains and rivulets has also started affecting groundwater. Thus has started affecting the people’s health in many parts of Jalandhar and Kapurthala,” it added. “The Commission calls for report from the State Government through Secretary, local Government Department, Secretary, Public Health Department, Secretary PPCB, DC, Jalandhar and Kapurthala,” stated the order.