BKU to protest against PPCB 'inaction' on industrial pollution

The Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) today said it will stage a 'dharna' on November 22 to protest against "corrupt" Punjab Pollution Control Board officials who are "penalising" farmers for stubble-burning but taking "no action" against industries which are heavy polluters.
It will be a three-hour between 12 noon to 3 pm at PPCB's head office at Nabha Road in Patiala, Punjab BKU chief Balbir Singh Rajewal said here.
"Last month, the PPCB had imposed heavy fines and registered cases under Section 188 of the CrPC against farmers across the state for stubble-burning and causing air pollution. But what about the pollution caused by industries," he asked.

"Industry has always badly polluted underground water and air. Resultant a large number of people in Punjab are suffering from cancer, Hepatitis C and other serious diseases," the BKU president claimed.
"Pollution control board officials are doing nothing but making money through monthly collections," Rajewal alleged, adding people cannot be allowed to die of diseases because of corrupt officials.