Seechewal quits pollution control board

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21

Expressing dissatisfaction over the continuing pollution in certain drains and rivulets, Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal has submitted his resignation from the membership of the Punjab Pollution Control Board.

The board, on the other hand, is expected to informally discuss the allotment of 8.5 acres to his “Ek Onkar Charitable Trust” on December 23.

Sources said Seechewal wanted to build an ashram near his “Nirmal Kutia” to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019 at Sultanpur Lodhi.

The land under consideration is worth Rs 5.6 crore. The board is in a quandary as the payment for purchasing the land — which is likely to be offered free of cost to the trust — will have to be borne by it.

Sources said the board officials were not ready to pay money to purchase the land. But sources said certain senior officials in the state government are interested in giving the land free of cost to the trust.

Meanwhile, Seechewal’s resignation has not been accepted so far. Without making any observation on it, the CM’s office has sent it to the Punjab Pollution Control Board authorities, it is learnt.

In his resignation, Seechewal has said despite best efforts by him and his associates, pollution in the Kala Sanghia drain hasn’t been tackled.

A treatment plant was installed after spending crores but it failed to fulfil its objective because certain pipes could not be connected to it.