Malbros Liquor Factory Row: PPCB files case against Malbros Liquor Factory Zira under Water Act
File case against factory on strong footings with criminal Sections: Sanjha Morcha Zira
Malbros Liquor Factory Row
PPCB files case against Malbros Liquor Factory Zira under Water Act
File case against factory on strong footings with criminal Sections: Sanjha Morcha Zira
Ferozepur, October 18, 2023: The Punjab Pollution Control Board has filed a case in the court against Malbros Liquor Factory under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
Though CM had announced the closure of the factory, the formal orders or notification is yet to be issued. Meanwhile the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has filed a complaint U/S 43, 44 read with Section 47 of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) as amended in 1988 for Violation of Section 24, 25 26 of the said Act.
The senior members of Sanjha Morcha Zira – Gurmail Singh, Roman Brar and Fateh Singh – speaking to the media persons have alleged that the case has been filed on weak points.
Added here, the unit was established as a distillery in 2006 while in 2014 it was redeveloped as an ethanol unit. The factory employs around 750-800 employees
The protesters from Mansurwal and surrounding villages with support of various farmers’ outfits had been sitting on sit-dharna since July 24 demanding closure of the factory, alleged to be causing pollution to underground water, air and environment of the area.
Due to a long protest by farmers and area residents against groundwater pollution, Punjab chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced the closure of the private distillery at Zira in Ferozepur district.
Sanjha Morcha Zira members have been sitting on dharna for the last one and a half year in front of the factory at Mansurwal and during the intervening period, all the samples taken from inside and outside the factory in the Mansurwal area has failed. The factory had polluted the underground water and polluted the environment. The case needs to be made on strong footings with criminal Sections also. However, the factory will not be allowed to be operational under any circumstances.
The Sajha Morcha leaders said, the factory will not be allowed to be operational in any case and we will continue with our protest. However, we appeal to the government to order for the permanent closure of the factory and take legal action, both against the factory management and PPCB for not taking care of the interest of the public.
They made an appeal to the government to take action against the factory owners on criminal grounds also.
They said, the next date of hearing in the court is fixed for November 17 with directions to all concerned to appear in the court including Gautam Malhotra of Malbros Liquor Factory.
