PPCB and Dyeing Industry Officials Face Complaint for “Environmental Violations”
Representatives of the Kale Pani Da Morcha filed a police complaint against officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) of the Dyeing industry at Tibba Road police station, demanding an FIR and criminal prosecution proceedings. The complaint, lodged under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, targets the member secretary of PPCB, Chief Engineer Ludhiana (PPCB), and officials of SPVs for allegedly violating the Water Act of 1974, Environment Impact Assessment terms, their agreements, and for defying orders from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The team also visited the Commissioner of Police in Ludhiana to emphasize the severity of the violations and called for swift action.
Jaskirat Singh of Naroa Punjab Manch stated, “There are grave violations by the PPCB and SPVs of the Dyeing industry operating the three CETPs. They were prohibited from discharging even treated water into the Buddha Dariya as per their agreements and environmental impact assessments issued over a decade ago. Despite the CPCB’s orders to comply with these agreements, they continue to violate the law with impunity.”
Film director Amitoj Mann, part of the delegation, described the situation as “an extremely serious crime against humanity,” criticizing officials for being complicit with the perpetrators. He added, “This is a huge breach of trust in the government and its institutions. We will not remain silent in the face of such violations that lead to deaths and devastation for the profits of a few.”
Kapil Dev, chairman of PAC Mattewara, highlighted the CPCB’s clear directives under Section 18(1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which bind state pollution control boards. He pointed out that despite written communication from the CPCB on August 12, 2024, ordering the PPCB to stop the flow of treated water from dyeing CETPs into the Buddha Dariya within 15 days, the PPCB has defied these binding directives. “We believe this is a clear case of PPCB’s collusion with the dyeing industry for illegal profits, necessitating an urgent criminal investigation,” he said.
Activist Lakha Sidhana expressed shock at the government’s silence on the issue, questioning how the government and the chief minister could remain quiet on such a critical matter. He warned, “People of this state are running out of patience and cannot tolerate this genocide any longer. They will do whatever it takes to stop it in the coming days.”
Kuldip Singh Khaira of PAC expressed hope that the police would grasp the gravity of the situation and act with the seriousness and urgency it demands to hold the law violators accountable.