Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday visited Raipur village in Mansa district to listen to the grievances of villagers affected from Talwandi Sabo thermal plant pollution.
The villagers demanded closing down of the plant alleging that fly ash emitting from it during night is affecting their lives and many villagers are affected with cancer, lungs and heart problems.
Taking note, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Jakhar said, he would ensure that the issue of thermal plant waste affecting human lives is resolved.
The villagers told Jakhar their problems due to thermal plant ash and the way it was affecting human health. Many of them were suffering from serious health problems.
Having listened to the problem of people, he said that the previous SAD-BJP government, in lieu of monetary gains, had sold off Punjabis’ health to thermal plants.
“The pact Akali Dal signed with thermal plants is bleeding the state exchequer by siphoning large amount of money being given to them, whereas in the national market, power was available at much cheaper rates,” he said. Jakhar added that SAD chief Sukhbir Badal had even compromised the sarb sanjhi gurbani by giving its sole transmitting rights to the party owned TV channel. Despite being born in the family of farmers, Sukhbir had signed such agreements that have compromised our future.
“Due to legal modalities signed by previous government, this thermal plant cannot be closed down. But now as per the orders of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), it is mandatory for all thermal plants located within 300 kms area of Delhi to implement pollution control technology,” he said.
As per orders, this was to be done by December 31, 2019. But the Mansa based Banawali thermal plant has not installed this technology and hence it has become easier to legally interfere with the working of plant, he added.
Jakhar said that these plants were bane for the state and he would convey the pain of people living around it to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
He added that the people's woes will be heard, and the way Capt Amarinder protected Punjab waters, he will protect the environment too and will also save the state funds that are being wasted away due to wrong agreements.