CM cautions industry over rising pollution

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 5

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday called upon the state industry to take appropriate steps to check pollution, while stressing the need for curtailing paddy cultivation to save fast depleting water resources.

He was addressing a gathering during the launch of “Mission Tandarust Punjab” at IISER here. The mission is aimed at creating a healthy environment for people through clean air, water and food.

Capt Amarinder expressed serious concern over the pollution of rivers, which, he said, needed to be stopped immediately.

He also launched “Tandarust Punjab” booklet and “Ghar Ghar Haryali” app for providing information about saplings available with the Forest Department as per season.

The CM presented saplings of sandalwood tree to 13 eco-conservationists. He also launched “Mission Green Mohali” to plant one crore trees in three years.

Forest and Wildlife Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot announced that the Forest Department would provide one lakh saplings of sandalwood to farmers for planting along the boundaries of their fields. He said the department had set a target to plant eight crore saplings of various kinds across the state.

Environment Minister OP Soni urged the CM to take stringent steps to check the inflow of untreated water and effluent into the rivers.

Padma Shri Sewa Singh Khadoor Sahib advocated the need to shun the practice of stubble-burning and throwing sacks of waste into the rivers.

Hoshiarpur: Industries Minister Sunder Sham Arora on Tuesday said strict action would be initiated against industrial units indulging in polluting environment and causing damage to flora and fauna. Talking to the media after launching “Mission Tandarust Punjab” in the district, he said the Punjab Pollution Control Board was carrying out checks to identify units violating pollution norms.

Fatehgarh Sahib: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu launched Mission Tandarust Punjab by planting a sapling here on Tuesday. He said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had taken the initiative to provide clean drinking water, better air and unadulterated food to improve both physical and mental health of the people of Punjab. He said: “If we do not take immediate steps to control growing pollution, our coming generations will curse us.” MLAs Kuljit Singh Nagra and Gurpreet Singh GP were among those present.

Ropar: Higher Education and Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Razia Sultana launched the scheme in Ropar. She said people would be sensitised about clean air, water and healthy food.