"The Punjab Government would accord priority to the pollution free industries as under the Mission Tandarust Punjab the State Government has taken upon itself to make Punjab completely pollution free. The state government would highly prioritize the education and health sectors and would not leave any stone unturned for full blown development of these 2 spheres." These views were expressed by the Education and Environment Minister, Punjab, Mr. O.P. Soni here today at Village Nabipur while interacting with the media on the occasion of visiting Pegro Frozen Foods Private Limited. He said that the pegro industry is engaged in getting farmers sow the vegetables through contract farming on a large scale and sends these vegetables after packing to the National and International markets. He also said that the Punjab Government would boost the agriculture based food processing industry leading to the farmers getting profitable prices and generation of the job avenues.Mr. Soni further said that the state government is making special efforts to make Mandi Gobindgarh pollution free and as part of these, all the rolling mills operated with the coal in Mandi Gobindgarh would be connected with PNG gas in the coming 6 months so as to make it the cleanest and pollution free city in Punjab. He also said that steps would be initiated to connect industries in big cities of Punjab such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ropar totally pollution free. He also elaborated that the work related to the laying of sewerage in all the cities of Punjab is nearing completion and the setting up of the sewerage treatment plants in all the cities would be ensured too. He further said that any institution or individual indulging in pollution of the environment would be strictly proceeded against and furthermore, instructions have been issued to all industrial units by the Punjab Government that they must ensure the installation of equipments stemming the tide of pollution emanating from the industries.
The Minister further added that the educational aspect would be most emphasized upon in the government schools and no teacher would be allowed to play with the future of the students. He said that the schools of Punjab would be turned into smart schools and solar power plants would be set up in all the government schools of the state to conserve energy. He divulged that no compromise would be made on the issue of providing quality education to the government school students and in case the teachers proceed on a demonstration/dharna on a work day, they would be strictly proceeded against.
Disclosing more, he said that no indiscipline would be tolerated in the schools and also apart from recruiting teachers the government would also recruit sewadars/safai sewaks in the schools. Coming to the border areas, he said that 80 percent posts in these schools have been filled and the rest would also be filled later.The minister on the occasion also started the campaign to make environment clean and green by planting a sapling in the park of pegro industry. the CEO of pegro industry Mr. Sartaj Singh Brar said that his industry conducts contract farming in the 3500 acre area and the farmers reap 3 crops a year. He also said that 5500 needy people are provided with the employment avenue directly and indirectly. Among others present on the occasion included Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board Prof. S.S. Marwaha, Member Secretary Engineer Karunesh Garg, SP Headquarters Mr. Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu, Environmental Engineer in pegro Mr. R.K. Nayyar, and Tehsildar Mr. Gurjinder Singh.