Environmentalists, spiritual leaders, politicians, farmers, activists and the widespread individuals gathered at Sekhowal village close to Mattewara forest on the banks of Sutlej river in Ludhiana, Sunday, beneath “Mattewara Chalo” name given by the Public Motion Committee (PAC) to oppose the mega textile park proposed beneath the PM-MITRA scheme over 1,000 acres.
The mission which is a three way partnership of the Centre and the state authorities is dealing with fierce opposition due to environmental issues as the chosen web site is just not solely positioned close to the Mattewara forest however can be on the floodplains of Sutlej river. There are fears that the mission wouldn’t solely disturb the biodiversity of the protected forest, however may also result in chemical discharge from factories into the river.
Throughout the protest, PPCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring tendered a apology throughout his speech because the mission was accredited throughout the earlier Congress authorities when Captain Amarinder Singh was the chief minister in 2020.
“There’s little question that these individuals who have gathered right here as we speak love Punjab far more than we do. At the moment, a name was on condition that whosoever loves Punjab, ought to attain Mattewara forest to battle this battle and save our surroundings. At the moment Raja Warring has come right here as a typical man. I, because the president of Punjab Congress, apologise for the choice that was taken by the earlier Congress authorities beneath Captain Amarinder Singh,” stated Warring, addressing protesters.
“I apologize to every considered one of you that the proposal to arrange an industrial park close to Mattewara forest was taken by the Congress authorities. Being an MLA, I opposed this mission in Vidhan Sabha and now I additionally promise that being the PPCC president, we’ll comply with instructions of setting lovers and assist the PAC constituted to oppose this mission tooth and nail,” stated Warring, including that Congress will assist the battle towards the mission until it reaches the specified finish.
Warring stated, “We can not let your entire Sutlej develop into polluted like Buddha Nullah has develop into already. My motive is to not criticize any authorities however there’s nothing incorrect in apologizing for a incorrect resolution that was taken beforehand. I had opposed it then additionally however nobody listened. Dyeing and textile trade goes to complete forest and river right here. We would like this mission scrapped.”
PAC member Chander Mohan Lakhanpal stated that they’ve obtained an invite from the workplace of CM Bhagwant Mann to satisfy and talk about the difficulty on July 11 and the group has accepted it.
Congress chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira stated that he’ll deliver Personal Member Invoice in subsequent Punjab Vidhan Sabha session that “a non-Punjabi can not personal a chunk of land in Punjab.”
Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann, Congress MLAs Pargat Singh and Sukhpal Singh Khaira, SAD leaders Manpreet Singh Ayali, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Hira Singh Gabria, former AAP MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, Sanyukta Kisan Morcha leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Manjit Singh Dhaner attended the protest.
When the mission was conceived throughout the earlier Amarinder Singh authorities, senior AAP leaders together with Bhagwant Mann, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Harpal Singh Cheema and Kultar Singh Sadhwan had strongly opposed it. However now that it’s in energy, the AAP authorities has determined to go forward with it.
Lately when the difficulty additionally rocked Punjab Vidhan Sabha throughout the Price range session, CM Bhagwant Mann stated: “No river air pollution could be allowed on the proposed web site” and “all environmental norms laid by central and state air pollution boards might be adopted.”
