Mann Forms Seechewal-Led Panel on Buddha Nullah, 15 Daysਬੁੱਢੇ ਨਾਲੇ ਲਈ ਸੀਚੇਵਾਲ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਹੇਠ ਕਮੇਟੀ, 15 ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has formed a nine- to 10-member committee under Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal to find a lasting fix for pollution in Ludhiana's Buddha Nullah, and asked it to report within 15 days.

What did the Chief Minister decide?

At a high-level review meeting on Saturday, October 31, Mann said people have a fundamental right to clean water and a pollution-free environment, and that the government will not let public health be held hostage to pollution. According to the official statement carried by PTI and The Tribune, he announced the special committee and directed it to submit a comprehensive action plan within 15 days.

Who is on the committee?

The panel is headed by environmentalist Seechewal. The Hindustan Times reports it will include the Secretary of Local Government, representatives of the Industries Department, the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Ludhiana Police, and two representatives of the dairy complex, along with other stakeholders. The meeting itself was attended by officials of the Municipal Corporation, the district administration and police, plus dairy owners from Tajpur Road and Hambran Road and other industry representatives.

What will the panel look at?

The Tribune says the committee is expected to bring all stakeholders onto one platform and identify measures for better waste management, proper treatment of dairy waste and strict monitoring of industrial discharge. It will consult residents, industrialists, dairy-sector representatives and administrators. Mann also directed officials to take strict action against anyone violating pollution norms. Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said officials were told to come up with proposals within 15 days. Seechewal said regular meetings would be held during this period.

Why does it matter?

The Buddha Nullah, once a stream that ran through Ludhiana, has long been choked by untreated industrial effluent, sewage and dairy waste, and cleaning it has been a repeated demand in the city. Separately, a review meeting with dairy farmers the same day, reported by Jagrati Lahar, saw Seechewal, Mayor Inderjit Kaur and MLA Grewal say the government is not against dairy farmers but that dumping cow dung in the drain would invite strict action.

Why was the Buddha Nullah committee formed?

To find a permanent solution to the pollution of Ludhiana's Buddha Nullah by involving officials, industry and dairy owners.

Who heads the Buddha Nullah committee?

Rajya Sabha MP and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal.

When must the committee report?

Within 15 days of the October 31 announcement, so by mid-November.