Govt has no data on deaths due to polluted groundwater, minister replies Charanjit Channi in Lok Sabha

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Chandigarh, July 28

Not disputing the widespread groundwater pollution across the state, especially in the Malwa region, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, during the ongoing Lok Sabha session on Friday, said the government had no data on the number of deaths caused due to the consumption of contaminated water.

In reply to a question by Member of Parliament Charanjit Singh Channi during the ongoing parliamentary session, the MoS said, “As per the information received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, no specific data is available regarding the deaths caused in the state due to groundwater pollution.”

Talking to The Tribune, former Chief Minister Channi said, “A number of studies have been carried out by various institutions, including Panjab University and Guru Nanak Dev University, showing the magnitude of groundwater pollution and its impact on the health of the public. I have sought the data only to underline the magnitude of the problem and demand an immediate action plan from the government.”

MoS Bhushan Chaudhary had underlined that “water being a state subject, sustainable development and management of groundwater resources, including the quality aspect, are the responsibility of the state governments”.

Former CM Channi said, “Water is a state subject, but the Centre cannot close its eyes to the responsibility of addressing a problem of such enormity.”