PPCB issues refusal of consent to operate Zira Malbros Factory, protesters look forward for written orders for closure

Ferozepur, February 11, 2023: The protesters under the banner of Sanjha Morcha are waiting for the written notification regarding the permanent closure of Malbros Liquor Factor at Zira as announced by the Punjab Chief Minister, Punjab on January 17.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Pollution Control Board Bathinda has issued refusal of consent to operate under the provisions of Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974 as amended as per the certificate has been shared by Bhupinder Singh on his Twitter@Tractor in the name of Pawan Bansal. Sharing this, he has written that “there will be no talk without issuing a notification”.

As per information, the management of the factory has filed an application for running the factory in December 2022. The Punjab Pollution Control Board had cancelled the Consent to Operate, with the result the factory cannot be run now.

Earlier, on January 17, Chief Minister, Punjab had announced the closure of the factory through his tweet and promised that the environment of Punjab will not be allowed to be polluted.

Added here, the protesters have opened the front since July 24, 2022 and now the annoyed leaders are waiting for the written orders for closure of the factory, apart from words on the other demands, in order to lift the dharna, which include withdrawal of cases registered against protesters, compensation to families, who lost their kin due to ailments allegedly caused by the contained ground water, slapping of penalty against the plant administration compensation of Rs5 lakh each to those who lost jobs, besides setting up of multispecialty hospital in the area.

The court hearing is also fixed for February 16 in the Contempt petition filed by the factory in the High Court when the view of the Punjab government will be known.