Molasses leakage: Rs 5 cr fine imposed on sugar mill

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)today imposed a fine of Rs five crore on the Chadha sugar mill from where molasses leaked into Beas river, causing massive damage to aquatic life.

The mill would also remain sealed unless all the pollution control measures are taken.

PPCB Chairman K S Pannu found the management of the mill was "negligent". He ordered prosecution against the mill and filing of criminal complaint against the persons responsible for the offence.

The order came after the board heard the reply of sugar mill representatives in Patiala in response to the notice issued for the alleged violation found by a probe committee.

A large number of fish were found dead in Beas river on May 17 after molasses from the sugar factory leaked into the river in Punjab's Beas town, about 40 km from the Amritsar.

In the order, PPCB Chairman K S Pannu said, "After hearing, the matter in detail, it is held that an environment catastrophe of a very high level has occurred due to the spillage of molasses from the mill into Beas, leading to killing of large number of fish and other aquatic life of various species. Beas river is the only living river of Punjab and any environmental damage to this river has to be viewed very seriously by the state and the society.

"It is a fact that pollution of Beas on account of spillage of molasses has happened because the mill management has not paid required attention for the safety of the installation of the mill as a result the incident has happened with large scale environmental proportions."