Farmers blame govt for pollution in river waters in Punjab

Ludhiana, July 25

On fifth day of their week-long protest against pollution in river waters by industrial effluent and other toxic waste, farmers, led by activists of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), Ekta Ugrahan, held successive governments responsible for their indifferent attitude towards the never ending problem in Punjab.

Speaking at an impressive gathering of farmers and environmentalists on fourth day of ‘Pani bachao morcha’ being staged along the Buddha Nullah here, BKU general secretary Sudagar Singh Ghudani and other leaders said, “While green revolution has added to wealth of corporate houses, it has at the same time, made Punjab, the state known for suicides by farmers under heavy debt-burden. Free hand given to industrial houses has led to a situation where water of all rivers in Punjab has been rendered unfit for human consumption.”

Farmers unanimously resolved to give a call to the government to put a stop on draining of toxic waste into rivers and drains and also at vacant open sites to cut down pollution of river and underground water.

Meanwhile, the All Industry and Trade Forum (AITF) has strongly opposed the agitation of farmers on save water and pollution-related issues.

The AITF national president, Badish K Jindal, said such misdirected agitations would not only close the doors of Punjab for new investments, but also force existing industries to move to other states. Farmers themselves were responsible for depleting water table and polluting ground water, he added. Jindal appealed to farmers to first bring their own house in order before blaming industries.