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New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Opposition slams AAP over appointment of key posts to Delhi leaders in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: A political row has erupted in Punjab after a series of appointments made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led government drew critisim from the opposition. The appointment of Shaleen Mitra, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to former Delhi Cabinet Minister Satyendar Jain, as the OSD to Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh. This comes just days after two other Delhi-based party leaders, Reena Gupta and Deepak Chauhan, were appointed as chairpersons of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, respectively. The opposition questioned the government over these appointments and claimed that the appointment of individuals from outside the state on important administrative roles is harming the Punjabi pride. They allege that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has "surrendered Punjab to the Delhi leadership" Mitra was also the project manager of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. A photograph of Mitra sitting with Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh in a meeting went viral yesterday. Last month, Gupta, who was the spokesperson of AAP Delhi and former secretary of the Delhi unit of the party, became the first woman to be appointed as the chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). She had earlier worked with Rajya Sabha Member Sandeep Pathak. Both appointments had sparked a political furore in the state.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: 60 villages unite to oppose private mill project near Buddha Nullah
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has submitted a report to the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, highlighting strong public opposition to the proposed Ruchira Paper Mill near the banks of Buddha Nullah in Chamkaur Sahib. The report comes after a public hearing held on April 30, 2025, under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms. Over 1,000 villagers from around 60 surrounding villages participated in the hearing, voicing unanimous rejection of the proposed red-category industry. Residents feared the private mill would devastate the ecologically rich area home to rivers, canals, wildlife, and dense forest cover. The locals united under the banners of the Sri Chamkaur Sahib Morcha and Public Action Committee (PAC) Mattewara to resist the project. They alleged that the project is backed by political leaders and corporate interests. Activists pointed out that the mill site lies just 10 metres from Buddha Nullah and 200 metres from the Neelon Canal violating an environmental law that prohibits red-category industries within 500 metres of a water source. The proposed plant would use and discharge crores of litres of water daily, posing a direct threat to Ludhiana's future drinking water supply and already polluted Buddha Nullah, which flows downstream into Rajasthan. PAC teams also visited Buddha Nullah near GT Road, collecting black water samples to counter government claims of improvement. 'It's like Coca-Cola running through our drains,' said PAC members Kapil Dev and Gurpreet Palaha, slamming state propaganda for misleading the public. Jaskirat Singh of the residents' body said the report reflects rare honesty despite political pressure but warned that the final decision lies with the Centre. 'We've averted a disaster for now, but the real battle is in Delhi. Every Punjabi must now raise their voice to ensure this project doesn't receive environmental clearance.' Activists sound alarm over pollution A united front of environmentalists, social activists, and citizens gathered near the 225 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on Jail Road as part of Phase-1 of the Buddha Nullah Padyatra on Sunday, issuing a collective call to restore the dying Buddha Nullah and protect Punjab's subsoil water and the Sutlej River system from severe contamination. The gathering, led by the Public Action Committee (PAC), highlighted continued violations at three key discharge points: the 40 MLD CETP at Focal Point, the 50 MLD CETP at Tajpur Road, and the 225 MLD STP at Jail Road. All three units are allegedly discharging untreated, chemically toxic effluents into Buddha Nullah, in violation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). PAC activists documented dark water discharges, suspicious underground diversions, and even temporary halts in red-coloured effluent flows during inspection—pointing to regulatory evasion. ₹1,154 crore project to rejuvenate Buddha Nullah In a step towards addressing Punjab's worsening groundwater crisis and rejuvenating the polluted Buddha Nullah, the soil conservation department has prepared a ₹1,050-crore proposal to reuse treated wastewater for agricultural and forestry purposes. The initiative, formulated following the recommendations of the Vidhan Sabha Committee on Buddha Nullah and Ghaggar River matters, aims to reduce pressure on depleting groundwater resources and tackle environmental pollution.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab Pollution Control Board issues ultimatum to Ludhiana's scattered dyeing units to adopt zero-liquid-discharge technology or shift out of city.
Ludhiana: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued a final ultimatum to nearly four-dozen scattered local dyeing units — adopt zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology by the end of the year or shift operations outside the city. The directive is part of an intensified crackdown to prevent untreated industrial effluents from contaminating the Buddha Dariya, a heavily polluted urban drain in the heart of the city that joins the Satluj. While cleaning efforts outside Ludhiana have shown significant progress, authorities are struggling to curb wastewater inflows within city limits, from small-scale dyeing units particularly. R K Ratra, chief engineer at the PPCB, said: "Operators of these units must either install ZLD systems or relocate to designated industrial hubs. The deadline for infrastructure setup is Sept 2025, with full compliance expected by Dec." Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, a noted environmental activist, is spearheading efforts to restore the Buddha Dariya through community-driven 'kar sewa' (voluntary service). Despite these efforts, several units operating in pockets such as Industrial Area, Jalandhar Bypass, and Samrala Chowk continue discharging untreated wastewater into municipal sewers, undermining the broader cleanup mission. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 그랜저 월32만원에 신차장기렌트 지금 바로! ★특판할인★ 렌트런 할인 보기 Undo The owners of a few units have submitted compliance proposals to the PPCB. While a few are adopting ZLD, others prepare to move their operations outside city limits, where treated water will be repurposed for irrigation. Larger textile manufacturers, meanwhile, are opting to outsource dyeing to third-party fabricators or cease in-house processing altogether. Notably, while the PPCB urged Ludhiana's municipal corporation to disconnect sewer lines of non-compliant units more than two years ago, no action has been taken. Officials cite pending decisions from the state govt as the reason for inaction. As the Dec 2025 deadline looms, PPCB officials have claimed that monitoring and enforcement will intensify to ensure Ludhiana's waterways are no longer used as industrial dumping grounds. MSID:: 121314890 413 |
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Row as AAP Delhi spokesperson named Punjab Pollution Control Board chief
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Monday appointed the party's Delhi spokesperson, Reena Gupta, as chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), triggering a row with opposition parties slamming the move to name a non-Punjabi for the top post. Apart from Gupta, the Punjab government on Monday appointed 31 people, mostly from the AAP, as chairmen, directors, and members in various government boards and corporations of the state. Gupta will be the first women chairperson of PPCB and 27th overall since the formation of the board. According to sources privy to the developments, Gupta was the only candidate from Delhi for the post of PPCB chairperson. 'The remaining 27 were mostly from Punjab, including top engineers and two former IAS officers,' the official said, pleading anonymity. Chief secretary KAP Sinha-led selection panel on Friday had shortlisted the incumbent PPCB chairperson Adarsh Pal Vig and Thapar University professor Amit Dhir, apart from Reena Gupta for the post. However, chief minister Bhagwant Mann selected the name of Reena Gupta and her appointment was notified on Monday, the official added. Established in 1975, the PPCB is a nodal agency in matters related to enforcing environmental regulations and managing pollution in Punjab. It is also the nodal figure during farm fires and one of the vital agencies which formulates policies to tackle stubble burning. As per Gupta's online profile, she has served as an adviser to the government of Delhi during the AAP government and also has experience working with the World Bank. She was also the AAP spokesperson in Delhi. 'Reena has worked extensively for the party and advised the Delhi government during the AAP regime on the issues of environment, education and other fields. She has vast knowledge on the issue of environment, and her selection is on merit', said an AAP leader who didn't wish to be named. Another non-Punjabi, Deepak Chauhan, has been made chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board. The opposition parties have slammed the move. Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said two non-Punjabis have been made chairperson of important bodies. 'Deepak Chauhan, ex-PA to backroom boss Sandeep Pathak, hailing from UP, is now chairman of Punjab's Large Industrial Development Board. He has no industrial experience. Meanwhile, Reena Gupta — another non-Punjabi & Former Delhi SEIAA member — is now chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board. 'Nepotism? No no… it's called Badlav. ', he said on X. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that CM Mann has surrendered two of the top posts in the state to outsiders. 'Now he (CM Mann) has surrendered two key posts - Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board & Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board to acolytes of Kejriwal,' Sukhbir said on X. 'Never before in the history of the state have outsiders been handed over all important posts,' Badal added on X.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
City sees fewer stubble burning cases
Ludhiana: For decades, harvest season in Ludhiana means scratchy throat, laboured breath and an unsettling smog that dulls the sunlight. However, things may be changing. As per figures released by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), the number of wheat stubble burning incidents in Ludhiana this year (around 550 so far), have reduced substantially as compared to previous years. PPCB officials attributed this to increased awareness among farmers against such practices. According to data provided by PPCB on the number of active fire incidents (Rabi season) were reported in Ludhiana between April 1 and May 18, 2025. As per figures based on satellite data collected by the remote sensing department, 537 such incidents were reported in Ludhiana district between April 1 and May 18, 2025. A total of 624 such cases were reported in the corresponding period last year, which means a 13.9% reduction in cases this year. Data for the state was analysed for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2022, the district recorded 933 cases of stubble burning between April 1 and May 18. Thereafter, numbers started declining over the last three years. The figure of 933 cases in 2022 was highest in four years. According to the PPCB report, 49 cases of stubble burning were recorded in Ludhiana on May 18 this year. The number stood at 117 on the same day in 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ثلاجات غير مباعة تنتظرك – شاهد الأسعار الآن! ثلاجات | إعلانات البحث ابحث الآن Undo Total of 10 cases were reported on May 18, 2023 while on May 18, 2022, there were just eight stubble burning incidents. With 537 stubble burning incidents between April 1 and May 18 this year, Ludhiana stands at the eighth position among districts of the state in terms of stubble burning cases. Amritsar recorded the highest number of such incidents at 1,043, while Gurdaspur was second with 811, and Moga was close behind at 789. Rupnagar had the lowest number of cases among districts of the state, with just 24 incidents recorded in the ongoing Rabi season. A source in the PPCB said that although most farmers are not setting stubble on fire due to awareness campaigns launched by various government agencies, including PPCB, others are not paying much heed. He added that authorities are taking action against such farmers. The district administration said that the change had come about due to consistent efforts. Deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain attributed it to awareness campaigns, deputation of village-wise nodal officers, and constant review. An official in the civil administration said that even though such incidents have witnessed a substantial fall, steps need to be taken to bring the number down even further. Meanwhile, a progressive farmer said that while there was some improvement in the situation, wheat stubble burning was still a common practice. Sukhjit Singh Diwala, who campaigns against stubble burning on domestic and international platforms, accused the government of being lenient with farmers burning stubble. He added that ruling parties did not take strong action as they did not want to anger farmers before elections. He explained that many farmers were not using wheat crop stubble as fodder because the price of one quintal of fodder is around Rs 250, but farmers have to invest Rs 300 to Rs 400 per quintal to make fodder out of stubble. Boxes: Yearly reduction 13.9% drop in Ludhiana from 2024 to 2025. Consistent downward trend over the last three years District rankings (2025 Rabi season) Highest cases: Amritsar: 1,043 Gurdaspur: 811 Moga: 789 Ludhiana: 8th highest with 537 cases Lowest cases: Rupnagar: 24 SAS Nagar: 27 Pathankot: 72 Causes for decline in cases Awareness Campaigns Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and other government bodies ran extensive campaigns Promoted sustainable alternatives Village-level monitoring Nodal officers were appointed at village level These officers monitored fields and reported violations in real-time Enabled quicker response and enforcement Administrative Pressure Regular review meetings and follow-ups by district administration Increased accountability among local officials Promotion of alternatives Encouragement to use Happy Seeders, Super Straw Management Systems (SMS), and mulching techniques Some subsidies and support provided for machinery Legal action & penalties Farmers found burning stubble faced fines and legal notices This acted as a deterrent, especially in areas with strict enforcement Community involvement Progressive farmers and activists raised awareness Peer influence and social pressure discouraged burning MSID:: 121268286 413 |
