Molasses spill: Firm yet to pay Rs3.5-crore fine

Patiala, November 18

In May, fish in large numbers were found dead in the Beas due to a molasses spill, following which Chadha Sugar Mill at Kiri Afghana (Gurdaspur district) was sealed and fined Rs 5 crore.

The mill owners deposited Rs 1 crore in May itself, while they paid Rs 50 lakh recently. An additional sum of Rs 50 lakh would be recovered from the mill by December, top officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) said.

The state government had asked a committee of experts to recommend steps for rejuvenation of the Beas. The PPCB had accepted a Rs 3.6-crore proposal by the Wildlife Department.

The PPCB now wants a review by a committee formed by it before the second instalment of Rs 3.6 crore is released.

“We will recover the amount when the Wildlife Department needs the money. As of now, the owners have been allowed to repair the mill,” said PPCB member secretary Krunesh Garg. — TNS