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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Buddha Nullah: PPCB failed to act against dyeing units, says PAC
Ludhiana: In a strong statement issued on Thursday, members of the Public Action Committee (PAC) have accused the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) of repeatedly colluding with dyeing industries of Ludhiana to shield them from legal accountability for continuous discharge of untreated effluents from their respective common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) into the Buddha Nullah. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Members of the PAC Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Jaskirat Singh said following appeals filed by the dyeing industries against the PPCB orders to stop CETPs, they had submitted three separate applications before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The tribunal, in response, directed the PPCB to act in accordance with environmental clearance (EC) conditions and to stop effluents in the Buddha Nullah. "Initially, the dyeing industries and the government claimed they did not understand NGT orders. Then the industry blamed the Punjab government for failing to construct lower Buddha Nullah. They later shifted their stance, claiming that environmental clearance was no longer required after a 2018 Central government notification. Shockingly, the PPCB supported such shifting interpretations and kept changing lawyers to waste time and continue illegal discharge into the Buddha Nullah. " Other members of the PAC Dr Amandeep Singh Bains, Kapil Arora, and Gurpreet Singh said the city had been declared one of the critically polluted cities in India by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, any dyeing industry within 5km of a critically polluted area must obtain an EC before receiving even a "consent to establish" from the sate pollution board. All three special purpose vehicles (SPVs) managing CETPs had already received grants based on EC conditions outlined in 2013, and over 50% of the construction was completed before 2018. Interestingly, CETP directors themselves admitted in their own recent press release that the NGT issued closure orders to their plants. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On December 23, 2024, the PPCB informed the tribunal that compliance was achieved, a claim PAC called misleading and factually incorrect. Based on the contradictory statements from the dyeing industries and ground realities, contempt petitions have been filed against the member secretary and chief engineer of the PPCB, along with directors of 40MLD and 50MLD CETPs. The PAC members also alleged that the PPCB, despite being fully aware of legal and environmental violations, had permitted ongoing contamination of the Buddha Nullah since the CETPs became operational. Even after NGT directives, the PPCB remains a mute spectator. Although criminal cases were filed against CETP directors, PPCB deliberately omitted full addresses in court complaints, making it impossible for courts to deliver summons. Despite being informed, PPCB failed to rectify the error, which PAC claims was a deliberate attempt to protect the violators. "This clearly shows that the PPCB is acting like a puppet regulatory body, shielding polluters rather than protecting public health," said the PAC. They added that the Punjab government itself was unwilling to act against the violators. Even after assuring the NGT that a compliance report would be submitted by March 20, 2025, no such report has been filed till date, they added.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Buddha Dariya pollution: PAC files plea against PPCB & CETP directors in NGT
Ludhiana: The Public Action Committee (PAC) filed a contempt petition against the concerned PPCB officials and directors of the Bahadur Ke Road Common Effluent Treatment Plant for intentionally violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders on effluent discharge into Buddha Dariya. The original petition was filed against three CETPs: Bahadur K Road, Tajpur Road, and Focal Point. However, PAC members have now filed a contempt petition against Bahadur Ke Road CETP members because it received a separate environment compensation in 2014, which mandated Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) — a condition it consistently failed to meet. All three CETPs were funded by central and state govts yet failed to honour mandatory conditions due to the active connivance of PPCB officials. PAC members Jaskirat Singh and Kapil Arora shared that Ludhiana's dyeing industry clusters have been illegally discharging effluent into Buddha Dariya for decades. After sustained citizen efforts, three CETPs were constructed, but PPCB failed to place their Environmental Clearance (EC) documents in the public domain. It also allowed three unauthorized outlets to discharge into the waterbody. Even after CPCB directions, PPCB gave undue time for clusters to appeal closure orders instead of enforcing environmental compliance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The PAC filed three separate cases against each CETP, following which NGT directed PPCB to act strictly in line with EC conditions. They also pointed out that the state govt has repeatedly changed its lawyers before the Tribunal to stall proceedings and protect violators. PAC members Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Preet Dhanoa said that despite the NGT's clear orders in November 2024, the PPCB and state govt misread the directions and permitted continued effluent discharge into Buddha Dariya. This amounts to contempt of court and reflects how public health has been sidelined in favour of polluters. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Gurpreet Singh said that the NGT reiterated that EC conditions are binding and ruled that no coercive action would be taken against the CETP only if it fully complied with environmental norms. It further clarified that violating the zero discharge condition amounts to non-compliance with the law. They shared that despite these clear directions, PPCB officials continued to allow the illegal discharge of toxic waste into Buddha Dariya. They alleged that even after giving official undertakings, the state govt has not submitted a compliance report to the NGT, while pollution continues unchecked under official protection. The members claimed that it is on these grounds that they filed this contempt petition under the NGT Act, which allows for up to ₹10 crore in fines or three years' imprisonment, or both. PAC called on the Chief Minister of Punjab to break official silence, stop shielding violators, and take meaningful action to restore public faith in governance and environmental justice. However, when contacted, the PPCB Chief Engineer RK Ratra said, "The matter is pending in the tribunal, so it is difficult to comment on the same, and moreover, I am unaware of any such contempt petition. I can only comment after verifying things." April 2024 - NGT took suo moto notice of media reports about Buddha Dariya pollution and failure of samples collected from the drain. August 2024 - A team from the Central Pollution Control Board conducted an inspection, and as per the environment clearance granted to the CETPs, the treated water shall not be discharged into Buddha Nullah, so it ordered PPCB to take appropriate action. September 2024 - PPCB issued orders to CETPs to close their outlets, but when they did not follow the directions, PPCB also filed three criminal cases against directors of three CETPs at a local court. November 2024 - NGT issued orders to CETPs to comply with EC conditions. December 2024 - Kale Pani Morcha activists staged a massive protest at Ferozepur Road. December 2024 - NGT clarified its own orders that it is not a blanket stay and compliance with EC is a must. After that, multiple orders were issued, but no action was taken by the govt or CETPs; therefore, now contempt is filed.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ludhiana West Assembly Bypoll: Poll watchdogs cite ‘blatant model code' violations, urge EC to replace DEO
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Punjab Election Watch Tuesday submitted a complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) demanding removal of the Ludhiana's district election officer (DEO) 'for egregious dereliction of duty,' and called for the strict enforcement of the 'Rs 40 lakh expenditure limit' on candidates. The two organisations have alleged rampant violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) in the ongoing campaigning for the Ludhiana West byelection. The complaint, also addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, includes 'GPS-tagged, timestamped photographic evidence' of illegal hoardings and campaign materials in violation of ECI guidelines. 'These materials are not only unauthorized and environmentally harmful but also likely to push candidate spending well beyond the legal threshold,' the complaint reads. 'The DEO's failure to act suo motu on visible violations is a betrayal of voter trust and a breach of ECI directives. Repeated inaction grants an unfair advantage to certain candidates and sets a dangerous precedent,' said Jaskirat Singh, trustee, ADR. 'We are witnessing unchecked use of plastic flex boards, misuse of government machinery, and zero transparency in shadow registers. We demand accountability — now, not after the polls,' added Parvinder Singh Kittna, coordinator, Punjab Election Watch. The complaint states that 'proxy campaigners, and lavish advertising efforts are reportedly being overlooked by expenditure observers, in violation of ECI norms and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.' 'Posters and banners that violate Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) approvals have flooded public spaces. Plastic and non-biodegradable campaign materials continue to be used rampantly, flouting ECI's sustainability advisories and polluting the city. Ministers, official vehicles, and police/security staff have allegedly been misused for campaign purposes in breach of MCC. No public updates on enforcement actions, shadow registers, or show-cause notices have been released, preventing citizen oversight,' it adds. The complainants have demanded: 'Immediate removal of the current DEO for failure to enforce the MCC and monitor expenditure. Strict tracking of candidate spending, with shadow registers made public and audits conducted in real-time. Immediate removal of unauthorized campaign materials with costs added to candidate accounts. Promotion of the cVIGIL app for public reporting of violations, alongside voter education and outreach. Action against use of government resources for campaigning. Show-cause notices, disqualifications, and legal action under Sections 77, 78, and 10A of the Representation of the People Act, where applicable. Referral of excessive or unaccounted spending to the Income Tax Department'. Meanwhile, Himanshu Jain, Ludhiana deputy commissioner-cum-DEO, said that nodal teams are working round the clock to remove illegal hoardings while the expenditure register is being maintained of each candidate for the advertisements they have put on legal sites. 'We are removing more than 600 illegal hoardings/posters each day on an average (over 9,500 removed in total till now across the district). I have asked the teams to check the sites which are mentioned in the complaint. Also, senior observers from ECI are here to inspect expenditure registers of the candidates. All campaign material is also being scrutinized by MCMC. A multi-tier monitoring system is fully operational to audit expenditure of candidates. Multiple notices have been issued to candidates for MCC breaches and violations,' he added.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ADR and Punjab Election Watch urge EC to replace Ludhiana DEO for failing to act on MCC violations.
Ludhiana: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Punjab Election Watch have called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene in the Ludhiana West by-election, alleging widespread breaches of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and demanding the removal of the District Election Officer (DEO) for neglecting official duties. In a formal complaint submitted on June 19 to the ECI and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab, the watchdog groups presented GPS-tagged photographic evidence of illegal hoardings and campaign materials that, they say, violate ECI guidelines. The organisations argue that these unauthorised and environmentally harmful displays are likely pushing candidate spending beyond the legal ₹40 lakh limit. "Failure by the DEO to act on visible violations betrays voter trust and breaches ECI directives," said Jaskirat Singh, Trustee of ADR. "Repeated inaction gives certain candidates an unfair advantage and sets a dangerous precedent." Parvinder Singh Kittna, Coordinator of Punjab Election Watch, added, "We are witnessing unchecked use of plastic flex boards, misuse of government machinery, and zero transparency in shadow registers. We demand accountability — now, not after the polls." MSID:: 121752851 413 |
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ADR and Punjab election watch urge EC to replace Ludhiana DEO for failing to act on blatant MCC violations
Image used mor representative purposes LUDHIANA: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Punjab Election Watch have jointly submitted a detailed complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging immediate and decisive action in response to rampant violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the ongoing Ludhiana West bye-election. With a few days left for polling on June 19, the organizations have demanded the removal of the District Election Officer (DEO) for dereliction of duty, and called for the strict enforcement of the Rs 40 lakh expenditure limit on candidates. The complaint, also addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, includes GPS-tagged, photographic evidence of widespread illegal hoardings and campaign materials in violation of ECI guidelines. These materials are not only unauthorized and environmentally harmful but also likely to push candidate spending well beyond the legal threshold. The DEO's failure to act suo moto on visible violations is a betrayal of voter trust and a breach of ECI's own directives. Repeated inaction grants an unfair advantage to certain candidates and sets a dangerous precedent,' said *Jaskirat Singh*, Trustee, ADR. 'We are witnessing unchecked use of plastic flex boards, misuse of government machinery, and zero transparency in shadow registers. We demand accountability — now, not after the polls,' added *Parvinder Singh Kittna*, Coordinator, Punjab Election Watch. Major allegations in the complaint Massive illegal hoardings across Ludhiana beyond constituency limits violate MCC and likely breach the ₹40 lakh expenditure cap. The DEO has taken no visible action. Shadow expenditure teams, proxy campaigners, and lavish advertising efforts are reportedly being overlooked by expenditure observers, in violation of ECI norms and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Posters and banners that violate Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) approvals have flooded public spaces. Plastic and non-biodegradable campaign materials continue to be used rampantly, flouting ECI's sustainability advisories and polluting the city. Ministers, official vehicles, and police/security staff have allegedly been misused for campaign purposes in breach of MCC Part VII. No public updates on enforcement actions, shadow registers, or show-cause notices have been released, preventing citizen oversight. Demands from ECI Immediate removal of the current DEO for failure to enforce the MCC and monitor expenditure. Strict tracking of candidate spending, with shadow registers made public and audits conducted in real-time. Immediate removal of unauthorized campaign materials, with costs added to candidate accounts. Promotion of the cVIGIL app for public reporting of violations, alongside voter education and outreach. Action against use of government resources for campaigning. Show-cause notices, disqualifications, and legal action under Sections 77, 78, and 10A of the Representation of the People Act, where applicable. Referral of excessive or unaccounted spending to the Income Tax Department.
