Beas contamination: exec engineer, SDO suspended

The Punjab government today suspended an executive engineer and a sub divisional officer over the recent molasses spill into Beas river, which caused massive damage to aquatic life.

The suspension of executive engineer Kuldeep Singh and Batala SDO Amritpal Singh Chahal comes a day after the state's pollution control board slapped a fine of Rs five crore on the private mill from where the molasses leaked.

Punjab Environment Minister Om Prakash Soni said the two officials did not properly monitor the Kirri Afghana area which falls in their jurisdiction, leading to the spilling of the byproduct from Chadha sugar mills.

A large number of fish were found dead on May 17 in the river near Beas town, about 40 km from the Amritsar.

The contaminated water even entered Rajasthan through the Indira Gandhi Canal, prompting the authorities in that state to stop drinking water supply from the canal as a precautionary measure.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board yesterday ordered the mill to deposit Rs 5 crore with it as environmental compensation.

The money shall be utilized for conservation and restoration of the ecology of Beas river, including rejuvenation of aquatic life, it said.

The board also ordered the filing of a criminal complaint against the mill.

The Punjab Environment Minister said today that laxity by officials would to be tolerated.

Soni asked all environment department officials to take appropriate action against industrial units violating norms.

He said no industrial unit would be allowed to release hazardous waste into the rivers and strict action would be taken against the owners.

The minister said the Punjab government was committed to creating a congenial atmosphere for the industry but no industry would be spared if it harms the environment.