Industrialists raise a stink against pollution board

The Mandi Gobindgarh Induction Furnace Association has raised objections over the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)'s drive against industrial units.

The Mandi Gobindgarh Induction Furnace Association has raised objections over the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)'s drive against industrial units.

The board has sent notices to 23 industries of Mandi Gobindgarh recently. Several industries have been made to pay fine and some have been shut down.

To lodge protest against the pollution board, the association has announced to go on indefinite strike from August 2.

The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Mohinder Gupta here.

Talking to media persons the association office bearers alleged that the PPCB was imposing unnecessary penalties on industrial units.

"We are being harassed for nothing. We have been following the same norms for the last two years," said Gupta.

He said the steel industry of Mandi Gobindgarh was passing through a critical phase due to rampant power cuts. "And we are being harassed by the board officials. If the same position continues, we will have to shift our base to other states," said Gupta.

He said, "The board officials are ignoring our suggestions. We have approached the PPCB chairman, but to no avail."

He said the strike would continue until the PPCB stops hounding industrialists.