Punjab orders sealing of sugar mill over deaths of fish

Punjab Environment Minister O.P. Soni on Friday ordered the seizure of the security deposit of Rs 25 lakh of a sugar mill in Amritsar after leakage of molasses from the mill led to the death of hundreds of fish in the Beas river. He also ordered the sealing of the mill.

Soni ordered that the security amount of the Chaddha Sugar Mill of Kirri Afgana (near Beas town) be forfeited.

He also ordered the sealing of the sugar mill from where 'Sheera' (molasses) leaked into the Beas river, causing the death of fish and other aquatic creatures.

"The minister constituted a probe committee and sought a report within three days and warned of strict action if the mill management is found guilty in the investigation report," a spokesman said here.

Earlier, during a meeting of the Environment Department at Punjab Bhavan, Soni issued clear directives against those flouting the environment rules.

He said action would be taken against those industries who were found throwing waste material into drains or rivers.

"Action will also be taken against the officials concerned of the Municipal Corporations and the Municipal councils as well," he added. He said that the government is not against industries.

--IANS

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