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Editorial

Sukhpal Khaira attacks Rana Gurjit for polluting river water, Punjab CM defends him

May 27, 2018 10:53 PM

By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab minister Rana Gurjit Singh who was shunted out of cabinet after his name figured in the sand scam is again in the thick of controversy. This time for allegedly discharging toxins from his Batala sugar mill into river Beas.

The allegations against Rana Sugars have came to light at a time when thousands of fish had died in Beas due to leackage of mollases from Chadha Sugar mills in Krri village in Gurdsspur district.

The issue of toxins being released from Rana's mill was raised by leader of opposition and AAP state president Sukhpal Singh Khaira who was also instrunmental in nailing Rana Gurjit in the infamous sand scam. Khaira today went to Buttar Sivian village where the mill is located to inspect the site. Khaira was stopped by police from entering the mill permises even as he visited the drain coming out of mill and also met the residents of the area.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh who faced embarrassment in the sand scam for defending Rana Gurjit till last minute was again seen standing by the tainted former minister. Rana Gurjit was removed from cabinet on the orders of AICC president Rahul Gandhi despite resistant by Capt Amarinder Singh. Capt Amarinder Singh today accused Khaira of tresspassing and warned him against taking law into his hands. Interestingly CM kept mum on the issue of toxin water released from Rana's mill. He earlier faced music for not taking action against owners of Chadha Sugar Mill
responsible for ecological disaster in Beas river. Only the manager of the mill was booked.

Virtually threatening Khaira of violence, Chief Minister in a statment said that despite being warned about the serious trouble it could lead to, considering the fact that the move could have provoked the mill workers and staff into retaliation, Khaira did not desist from moving towards the premises, said the Chief Minister, terming it a clear attempt on the AAP leader’s part to divert public attention on the eve of the Shahkot polling.

Khaira rebutted by saying that he had not came to Buttar Sivian to fight with anybody but he came to listen to the problems of the people so that they could be raised in the Vidhan Sabha. Khaira said that a notice has been issued to Rana Sugar Mill by the National Green Tribunal. Khaira also informed that he has written to the Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board regarding strict criminal proceedings against Rana Sugar Mill on complaints of residents of the villagers.

Khaira said that by doing so the mill has contaminated the ground water and the water of surrounding villages has been polluted upto such extent that it cannot be used for drinking and even irrigation human purposes. Due to this widespread pollution, the existence of upcoming generations has been endangered also. By these wrongful acts of the mill a huge number of aquatic animals and other animals including livestock have been killed in large numbers and due to pollution the water in surrounding villages has turned into poison.

The acts of Rana Gurjit Singh are becoming reason for embarrassment for the ruling Congress party and ruining the image of Capt Amarinder Singh as well who is supporting tainted minister in all his misdeeds. It is high time for the party high command to take a call and set the things in the party and state government right before it is too late.







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