Villagers protest distillery in no-tubewell zone

Residents of the region have been staging a dharna outside the distillery for a month but the government has also dug in its heels. Then there is the curious nature of the way the project has got permission. The distillery got environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment on May 19, three days after the UPA government lost the national elections but before the NDA government had taken charge. It had been awaiting green approval for over two years as the company was given site clearance from the Punjab government way back on July 12, 2012.

Further, documents with The Indian Express reveal that the National Green Tribunal had banned the installation of new tubewells in Punjab on March 5, two and a half months before the Ministry of Environment gave its clearance to the project. The ministry’s clearance has been granted to the molasses/grains-based distillery with a precondition that it will seek permission for drawing of underground water from CGWA, besides sticking to norms.

Amloh has already earned the notoriety of being among the 80 areas across the country notified for ‘over-exploitation’ of underground water by the CGWA).

People from 10-odd villages falling in the sub-division, who sit on a dharma outside the distillery, say the met the CM on Friday. “He refused to listen to us stating that we should go and meet the officials of the excise department. The local officials have refused to accept our memorandum. The only way we have left is to approach the Supreme Court,” said Avtar Mohammad Tanny, a member of the Sangharsh Committee constituted to oppose the setting up of the distillery.

Amrik Singh Panj Bhainian Wala, the sewadar of Gurdwara Gurusar Khumna Sahib which is across the road, said he had launched a campaign to wean people off drugs. “But a distillery is coming up in front of the Gurdwara itself. Nobody is listening,” he said.
Jagbir Singh, a former sarpanch of Salana village, said the government did not allow a tubewell for agriculture purposes in the area. “We cannot draw water to produce grains, but the company has been allowed to produce liquor,” he said.

Harish Pahwa, general manager of the project, said there was no illegality in setting up a distillery. “We have got a permission from the authorities concerned. The Central Pollution Control Board has allowed us only two tubewells. These too would be used as and when needed. There are already 17 distilleries in Punjab. We are unable to understand why there is so much of hue an cry against us. The villagers are running a propaganda against us and there is no truth in it. We will be following all rules and ensure strict compliance of conditions laid down by the Ministry of Environment,” he said. “We have purchased state-of-the-art machinery that will ensure compliance. Moreover, we will be harvesting rain water, treating our effluents. I am assure there would not be any smell in the neighbourhood villages. The concerns of villagers are unfounded, “ he added.