Industrial unit catches parties’ attention

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Hoshiarpur, January 16

The outcry of residents of more than 15 villages, who have been demanding the shifting of an upcoming plywood unit that will house a chemical plant generating hazardous gases in Daulowal village in the Sham Chaurasi constituency, has started acquiring political tones. Leaders of various political parties, including the SAD, Congress and AAP, have demanded its immediate closure.

SAD MLA Mahinder Kaur Josh, AAP candidate Ravjot Singh and senior Congress leader Santosh Chaudhary met protestors separately and assured them of their support.

In a signed letter to the Deputy Commissioner, sarpanches and elected members from at least 15 panchayats have urged the administration to stop work on the project. Deputy Commissioner Anindita Mitra said, “The report forwarded by us based on proceedings of a public hearing held on the directions of the National Green Tribunal, I don’t think the project will be allowed there.”

Signatories to the representation included sarpanches Sukhjinder Singh from Nizzian, Anita Kumari from Dauliwal, Gurdeep Singh from Govindpur Khun Khuna, Balwinder Kaur from Mithewal, Inderjit Singh from Bakhlan, Amichand from Adowal Garhi, Joginder Singh from Bassi Maroof, Ajit Singh from Bains Khurd, Succha Singh Tajpur, Jaswinder Singh Dadiana, Davinder Kumar, Muradpur Guruka, Gurjeet Singh from Mehndipur and Swaran Singh from Diggian besides several others.

Sarpanch Gurdeep Singh of Khun Khuna said: “We were not informed about the chemical plant coming up there. An inquiry needs to be ordered to know who allowed the setting up 

a banned industrial unit within 400 yards of human habitation.”