Punjab effluents polluting rivers: Rajasthan MP

New Delhi, June 24

A BJP MP from Rajasthan, Kirodi Lal Meena, on Monday alleged that Punjab was discharging effluents in its rivers, which feed supplies canals acting as sources of potable water in his state.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Rajya Sabha, Meena said the Indira Gandhi Canal, which is fed by rivers from Punjab, got polluted on account of release of huge amount of sewage in Jalandhar. The canal was source of potable water for 35 per cent of Rajasthan’s population.

The issue raised by Meena was supported by Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral.

Due to the discharge of poisonous effluents in the Sutlej and Beas, the canals in Rajasthan fed by them had become toxic. Consequently, there had been a large number of people getting afflicted with diseases such as cancer and jaundice, he said. — TNS