PAC seeks FIR against officials for polluting Buddha Dariya

Members of PAC, Mattewara, met the Police Commissioner today, demanding the registration of an FIR against officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and those operating Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) of Ludhiana’s dyeing industries. They accused them of illegally operating CETPs in violation of environmental clearance conditions, defying National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and contaminating drinking water sources with toxic effluents. The activists also urged authorities to ensure the safety of citizens and media personnel visiting the CETP outlets to collect photo and video evidence of continued non-compliance with the NGT directives. Additionally, they expressed concerns over the government’s proposed amendments to the Water Act, which seek to replace jail terms with fines, thereby weakening enforcement against polluters.

Talking about the NGT’s latest order, PAC members Er Kapil Dev and Jaskirat Singh said, “The NGT has directed the PPCB to file a compliance report regarding the closure of CETP discharge outlets for the dyeing industry. However, the PPCB has repeatedly delayed this process and has yet to submit the report, even though only a week remains before the next hearing on March 20. Since they are failing to comply, we will submit a non-compliance report against PPCB in the NGT, backed by photographic, video, and media evidence proving that these CETPs continue to discharge effluents into Buddha Dariya.”

Jaskaran Singh further highlighted security concerns, recalling an incident on December 3 when members of Kale Pani Da Morcha were obstructed by dyeing industry workers while attempting to access CETP outlets.

Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Preet Dhanoa of PAC accused the PPCB of deliberately stalling action due to its alleged nexus with polluting industries. “The PPCB is engaging in delay tactics to shield the dyeing mafia, while residents of South Punjab continue to suffer from contaminated drinking water. If the government fails to enforce its own laws and court rulings, we will have no choice but to escalate the matter to the Governor and file complaints with the Lokayukta Punjab regarding this corruption and inaction,” they warned.

PAC members Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Plaha revealed that the PPCB recently imposed fines worth crores on the Tajpur and Bahadur Ke CETPs for ongoing pollution violations. “Despite levying these fines, PPCB has failed to take decisive action to halt illegal discharges into Buddha Dariya,” they stated. Former Buddha Dariya Task Force member, Col JS Gill, accused the Punjab government of intentionally stalling action to protect polluting industries.