Farmers, leaders complain of ''black'' water supply

Union minister seeks report from Punjab, Rajasthan govts

Quote: Treatment plant not installed

“The water supplied to Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Churu, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jhunjhunu carries along with it chemical waste released by tanneries and other industries, but the Punjab Dyers” Association has installed 50-MLD common effluent treatment plant, despite warnings.” Raj Kumar Soni, BJP leader

Raj Sadosh

Abohar/Sriganganagar, June 9

The contaminated water supply through the Gang Canal, the Indira Gandhi Canal and the Bhakra Canal to eight districts of Rajasthan has brought leaders of different farmers’ organisations and political parties on the same page.

Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (KSS) spokesperson Subhash Sehgal and Sriganganagar district president Amar Singh Bishnoi said the Centre and the state had been approached many times in the past 20 years over the unchecked release of chemical waste and sewerage water into the Sutlej and the Beas. The National Green Tribunal had even fined the Punjab Government. Meetings were held with the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Rajasthan CMs had spoken to their Punjab counterparts, but the problem had not been resolved, they said.

The KSS said the Indira Gandhi Canal was closed for 60 days for relining and ”black” water was released from the Harike Barrage on May 28. There had been no improvement in the quality till today, the KSS alleged.

Sriganganagar Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Bhawani Singh today directed the water resources department to not store water for drinking and take samples.

Lok Sabha member Nihal Chand (BJP), who spoke to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, claimed the minister had sought reports from the Punjab and Rajasthan Governments.

Sriganganagar MLA Raj Kumar Gaur spoke to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and requested him to take up the issue with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Anoopgarh former MLA Shimla Bawri mailed a complaint to the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board and demanded immediate intervention to prevent the spread of chronic diseases due to contaminated water supply.

BJP leader Raj Kumar Soni, in a memorandum to the Prime Minister”s Office, said the water supplied to Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Churu, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jhunjhunu carried along with it chemical waste released by tanneries and other industries, but the Punjab Dyers” Association had not fulfilled its promise to instal 50-MLD common effluent treatment plant (CETP), despite repeated warnings.

Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha district president Kalu Ram Thori said farmers would launch a stir if the problem was not resolved.