Zira Stir: We are pro-Kisan and ready for any debate, says CEO, Malbros Factory
Zira Stir: We are pro-Kisan and ready for any debate, says CEO, Malbros Factory
Ferozepur, December 28, 2022: After five months of protest, the factory CEO has come forward for the first time, to hold a press conference to clarify certain issues and stand of the factory.
Malbros (Malhotra Brothers) International Private Limited (MIPL) is pro-Kisan, not polluting the underground water, ready for open debate with the protesters, no objection for legal checking and even drinking water with the protesters, said Pawan Bansal, CEO. Jasbir Singh Power Plant Manager, Akash Deep, Mechanical Manager and Harnek Singh Store Incharge were also present.
The issue of closure of the factory started when the polluted water started coming from the bore in the gurudwara at Mahianwala which is 4-5 km away from the factory. But later on the protest was shifted to the factory at Mansurwal Kalan.
CEO MIPL said, a new bore may be dug-out and if the polluted water comes out, we are ready to face any consequences. Even to this proposal, the protesters did not agree when Justice Jasbir Singh, committee head appointed by the court, visited the protest site. NGT has already tested the samples which were within the specifications. More-over, the tests are done after every six months by the Pollution Board. Number of agencies had been visiting for inspection and there has not been one single time, the samples have failed. All checking is done under NGT by the Pollution Board.
He said, the plant, which is pro-farmer with consumption of around 600 MTs consumption of broken rice daily of around Rs.122 crore monthly, not fit for human consumption, is situated on 50 acres of land and provided employment of 1200 persons and there is a net loss of around Rs.100 crore per month to the government since the closure of the factory.
He said, the plant has the ultra-modern infrastructure and no waste water is put back under the ground through the bore. Rather, we have a water treatment plant of 23 lac ltr more than the output of 19 lac ltr. There are a total 7 bore in the plant and one outside which needs repairs. There could be a number of reasons for polluted water coming from the tubewells like change of filter required, pipes need to be replaced.
Pawan said, we have moved to the court that there is no violation at the factory and we may be allowed to run the factory. 2.38 ethanol is produced and entire supplies go to the oil factories and there is no residue
To the queries, he said, around Rs.1 crore daily revenue goes to the government and now it is a net loss to the government since the closure of the factory. If this factory is closed, it will give a negative message to the industrialists for investment in the Punjab. It is wrong to say, he said, no wrong NOC was given and even when the owner was not MLA, the extension of the plant was after proper NOCs. We have not given any compensation to the villagers for animals killed rather it was a financial help to them, on request of the locals of around Rs.10 lacs in their accounts.
Technical staff accompanied by the CEO said, we produce our own electricity through the efficient plant and it is online with the pollution board for monitoring purposes.
Lastly, the CEO said, the factory may be put to operation, after checking as per legal procedures, to which we have no objection to it.
The protest is going on in front of the factory and the next hearing is fixed for December 28 and in the meantime, the different committees have started functioning and a final decision will be taken on submission of the report.
