In a major crackdown on industrial pollution, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has taken decisive action against a prominent ethanol manufacturing unit in Gurdaspur district. The environmental regulator has attached assets valued at a staggering ₹79.93 crore belonging to the plant, located in the Kahnuwan area, for causing severe groundwater contamination and violating multiple environmental norms.
Groundwater Pollution Triggers Strict Action
The enforcement action was initiated following persistent complaints and concrete evidence of environmental damage. According to PPCB officials, the ethanol plant was found responsible for polluting the local groundwater, a critical resource for the surrounding communities. The pollution was a direct result of the plant's operations and its failure to implement adequate safeguards to prevent the leaching of effluents into the soil and water table.
After a thorough investigation confirmed the violations, the PPCB moved to attach the plant's immovable assets. This includes the land, buildings, and machinery associated with the manufacturing facility. The attached property is officially registered in the name of Shree Jagdamba Alcoholics Limited, highlighting the scale of the industrial unit involved.
Legal Proceedings and State Response
The case has seen active involvement from the highest levels of the state government. PPCB Chairman Prof. Adarsh Pal Vig confirmed the board's firm stance, stating that such stringent measures are necessary to deter industries from flouting environmental laws. The action underscores the board's commitment to protecting Punjab's natural resources, particularly its vulnerable water sources.
Furthermore, the matter was brought before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The state government, represented by the PPCB, informed the court about the attachment proceedings. This legal backdrop adds significant weight to the enforcement action, demonstrating a coordinated effort between the regulatory body and the judiciary to address ecological crimes.
A Signal to Polluting Industries
This move by the Punjab Pollution Control Board is being seen as a strong warning to other industries operating in the state. By attaching assets worth nearly ₹80 crore, the board has made it clear that the economic cost of environmental negligence will be severe. The action aligns with growing public and governmental concern over industrial pollution, especially the contamination of water resources which has been a chronic issue in several parts of Punjab.
The case of the Gurdaspur ethanol plant sets a precedent for how the state plans to deal with violators. It shifts the focus from mere penalties to seizing the capital assets of the polluting entity, a step that can cripple its operations and serve as a potent deterrent. Environmental activists have welcomed the move, hoping it will compel industries to invest in proper effluent treatment and waste management systems.
The future course of action regarding the attached assets and the potential for the plant to resume operations under strict compliance will depend on further legal and administrative orders. For now, the PPCB's action stands as one of the most significant financial enforcements in recent times against an industrial polluter in Punjab.
