Sekhowal villagers oppose industrial park

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 23

Opposing the government’s plan to set up an industrial park near Mattewara, a number of villagers and members of Sekhowal panchayat have refused to give their village panchayat land for the project. The panchayat members claimed that they learned that the government wanted to use about 407 acres under Sekhowal panchayat for setting up the industrial park but they didn’t want to see any industrial park on the panchayat land.

A meeting of Gram Sabha was held at Panchayat Ghar of Sekhowal village on July 21. Sarpanch Amrik Kaur, who presided over the meeting, said they had passed a ‘resolution’ that their panchayat land should not be given for any industrial park. The BDPO and Panchayat Secretary were informed to attend the meeting but they did not come, according to the Gram Sabha.

The Gram Sabha and panchayat members claimed that the previous resolution, which was being shown as approval given by the panchayat for an industrial park, was prepared by the officials while allegedly hiding the facts from the panchayat. The villagers are dependent on this panchayat land and it can’t be given for any industrial park, according to the panchayat members.

Amrik Kaur said: “We were earlier not informed about the facts of the previous resolution. We don’t want that any industrial park be set up on our panchayat land.”

Former Sarpanch Dhir Singh said: “No industrial park should be set up on the panchayat land of Sekhowal. Our village is located near the river and forest area,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Varinder Sharma said: “No such resolution has been received and if it is received, necessary action shall be taken as per law.”

Public action committee

Meanwhile, NGOs and activists have formed a 12-member public action committee and requested the government not to set up any industrial park on the land of any panchayat situated near the forest area and the Sutlej.

Sukwinder Singh of Sath (a student organisation) said: “We have visited many villages, including Sekhowal, situated near Mattewara. Most people are opposing the project. Such industrial park should not be set up near the forest area and the river.”

“We will also run a campaign against the proposed project in all areas where the Sutlej water is used for drinking and irrigation purposes,” said Kuldeep Singh Khaira.

Notably, the Punjab Government had earlier stated that the industrial park would not be set up on Mattewara forest land. According to the government, only government and panchayat land of Haider Nagar, Sekhowal, Salempur, Sailkiana and Machian Kalan villages would be used for the proposed industrial estate, and the panchayats would be adequately compensated for acquisition of their land.

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