Category Archives: Punjab

Chandigarh, Punjab

WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE PERPETRATORS OF SACRILEGE ARE NOT PUT BEHIND THE BARS- VOWS CM

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 05, 2022

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday pledged that he will not rest until the perpetrators of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji are not put behind the bars.

          “Desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji on sacred land of Punjab is a blot on us. This inhuman crime is unimaginable and unpardonable, the guilty of which can never be spared” said the Chief Minister during Mission Sunehra Punjab conclave organised by a news channel here today.

          The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that even after passing of so many years, the guilty of this heinous crime are roaming free. Bhagwant Mann said that this has happened just because the Akalis and Congress have hobnobbed with each other to save the culprits. However, he said that the day is not far when the guilty will be behind the bars for which his government will not leave any stone unturned.

          The Chief Minister said that so far the culprits have escaped the punishment with the patronisation of the successive governments. However, he said that this has discontinued after his government has been formed because they are firmly committed to punish the culprits. Bhagwant Mann said that the best officers will pursue further investigation into the case and best lawyers will contest the cases in court to ensure that perpetrators do not escape the gallows.

          Describing gangsters as a national problem, the Chief Minister said that all the states will have to join hands for curbing this menace. He said that only joint efforts by all the state can help in eliminating this problem effectively. Bhagwant Mann said that his government has already evolved a foolproof strategy to combat this menace.

          The Chief Minister said that there is no ‘credit war’ for elimination of organised gang as every state is sensitive towards it. He also lashed out at Congress and Akalis for promoting gangster culture in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that both these parties have patronised gangster culture for their own vested interests.

          The Chief Minister said that though destiny had brought him in politics but he had been firmly committed for serving the poorest of poor. Bhagwant Mann said that he is the Chief Minister of entire state and his only target is to make Punjab a front ranking state in country. He said that strenuous efforts are being made for progress of state and prosperity of Punjabis.

          The Chief Minister said that most of his Ministers may be new to political arena but their vision and dedication for state and its people is unmatched. He said that this commitment makes them stand different from the other politicians who have used the power just to plunder wealth of state. Bhagwant Mann said that those who claim to be experienced politicians now were once novice in this field adding that the spirit to serve the needy and underprivileged sections of society makes them distinct from others.

          The Chief Minister further said that it is unfortunate that Punjabis are reeling under huge debt but instead of worrying about their well being the opposition leaders are worried about their own salaries. He said that as a fact of matter these politicians are not worried about their salaries but they are more concerned about the corruption in public life that has stopped now. Bhagwant Mann said that as his government has plugged in all the pilferages in public money by checking corruption due to which most of the politicians and bureaucrats now think that their original salaries are too low as compared to the money minted by them through illegal means.

          The Chief Minister warned that any person who has looted even a single penny of the public will be made accountable to people. Bhagwant Mann said that he will expose all such plunderers and severest of severe action will be taken against them, as per the law. He said that it is the firm commitment of his government that corrupt leader or officer, howsoever affluent he may be, will be brought to book and made accountable for his sins.

          The Chief Minister categorically said that there is no opposition in the state as people have shown them the door for their anti-Punjab stance. Citing an example, he said that people have given massive mandate to his government by giving 92 seats out of which 66 were only from Malwa region. Bhagwant Mann said that people have voted for bringing a positive change in the state by ousting Akalis and Congress.

          The Chief Minister said that former Chief Ministers Parkash Singh Badal, Captain Amarinder Singh and Charanjit Singh Channi, one former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders like Navjot Singh Sidhu and Bikram Singh Majithia have been badly rejected by the people. He said that these leaders have grossly misused the political power for their own vested interests as a result of which they have been shown the door. Bhagwant Mann said that people have expressed faith in them and they will upheld it at all costs.    

          Lashing out at former Chief Ministers Parkash Singh Badal and Captain Amarinder Singh for their non performance, the Chief Minister said that these two leaders ruled the state for fairly long time but they didn’t construct any good hospital in state, due to which they prefer to go abroad for their treatment. He said that though both Captain and Badal secured quality treatment for them at London and New York respectively but people in state are striving hard for good treatment. Bhagwant Mann said that this is shameful on the part of both these leaders who have failed to perform for state despite of the fact that people had elected them to serve.

          The Chief Minister said that he had been a votary of healthy comedy throughout his life adding that he introduced satire in Parliament to raise the public issues and bring change in the system. He lamented that those in power had snatched smile of the common due to which despite of losing first poll he continued in politics. Bhagwant Mann said that he will continue to serve the Punjabis till his last breath.

          Sharing an anecdote about the poor performance of Punjab People Party (PPP) in 2012 poll, the Chief Minister said that Manpreet Badal had formed the party after a fight with his uncle Parkash Singh Badal, who was the Chief Minister of state at that time. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the former Finance Minister never uttered a single word against the misdeeds of his uncle or his government. He said that this led to poor performance of PPP in Vidhan Sabha polls after which he joined AAP.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

VIJAY KUMAR JANJUA APPOINTED AS NEW CHIEF SECRETARY

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 05, 2022

The Punjab government led by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday appointed Mr  Vijay Kumar Janjua as Chief Secretary in place of Mr. Anirudh Tewari.

Notably, Mr. Janjua is a 1989-batch IAS officer and is currently holding the position of the Special Chief Secretary Jails and in addition Special Chief Secretary Elections.

After completing B.Tech in Electronics from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, Mr. Janjua worked for one year at SCL (Semi-Conductor Complex), Mohali, then a Govt. of India enterprise designing computer chips for space agencies. He also worked as an ITS (Indian telecommunication Service) Engineer with Govt. of India for two and half years. Was selected for the IRS (Income Tax) in 1988 and later in IAS in 1989 with All India 12th Rank and was allotted Punjab Cadre. During service, obtained LLB degree from Panjab University and MBA degree with specialisation in Finance from IGNOU, New Delhi. Further did MA in International Development Policies from Duke University, USA.

Mr. Janjua worked in various departments of Punjab including Rural Development, Industries, Labour, Animal Husbandry etc. He also served in Govt. of India for three years as Director Industries in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. During tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Fatehgarh Sahib district, Mr. Janjua developed a PRISM software with the help of NIC and introduced computerised registration of properties for the first time in Punjab.

He was also instrumental in carrying out several reforms in Labour laws for improving the ease of doing business in Punjab besides improving the investment climate in the state. Likewise, he also initiated several path-breaking initiatives in Revenue department as Financial Commissioner Revenue.  About 2.2 crore khasra girdawri entries were digitised within a span of about 15 days in the Revenue department under his stewardship.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

BORDER STATE PUNJAB TO FOCUS ON FURTHER  PROMOTING NCC IN SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULLY 05, 2022

Following the instructions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann for providing employment opportunities to the youth of the state in various fields especially in the Indian Army, the state government is focusing on promoting job-oriented National Cadet Corps (NCC) in schools and colleges of the border state.

Considering the NCC as launchpad for career in armed forces and toy magnify the interest of the youth to pursue a career in the Armed Forces, whereas the state government has earmarked Rs.5 crore in recent budget for improving infrastructure and creation of new facilities in NCC units and NCC training centers, it has also approached the Indian Army to boost the NCC activities amongst the youth.

Complying with the instructions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Education Minister Mr. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer today called on Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh (AVSM, VSM), DG, NCC Directorate, New Delhi and Major General Rajiv Chhibber (Sena Medal), ADG, NCC Directorate (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh).

The Minister, while assuring the Army officials for all possible assistance, said that the state government is tirelessly working to improve the infrastructure of NCC units and training centers situated in the State. “In recent budget session, the government has allocated Rs.5 crore for this purpose”, informed the Minister while discussing other technical aspect related to the NCC with the Army officials.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haryana, Haryana, Punjab

Sextortion cases on the rise in country

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 05, 2022

Beware of that super friendly woman you meet on Istagram or Facebook or What’s app. She could be a member of a gang targeting people into explicit sexual situations and then demanding money not to expose them on public platforms.

One of the victims on the condition of anonymity said that he got a call from unverified numbers and callers posing as Sub-inspector in Delhi Police, asking him to shatter the issue by paying money otherwise compromising pictures or videos will be put on social media platforms.

As per the statistics, sextortion, or extortion using sexual methods, tops the charts in the cybercrime cell of Chandigarh region. In all such cases, stories have emerged of individuals being “lured into recording themselves performing sexual acts” before being blackmailed. The cyber crime investigation cell (CCIC) of Chandigarh Police has advised the people to be careful about video calls from unknown numbers. Sources in the CCIC Chandigarh Police said that the number of sextortion (extortion cases using nude pictures) are increasing. There have been a number of incidents and the victims’ list is increasing. But due to shame or social stigma, the victims often do not report the crimes to police, they added.

When contacted, Mohali based cyber expert said that people who often get connected with strangers through social media or even gaming apps are targets of these crimes. It begins with offers of friendship but soon leads to sharing of compromising pictures or videos that are used for blackmail. The victims of such crimes belong to all age groups. Victims of such crimes are unwilling to come forward and report them to the police for fear of embarrassment or disrepute it might bring. However, the best and surest way of bringing such cases under control is to report them to the authorities, he added.

He further said, “The modus operandi of the gangs is to create fake accounts posing as girls on social media platforms and lure men, most of whom were rich with high-profile backgrounds. While posing as girls on social media, the accused took the victims into confidence and insist on starting obscene video chats, which they would then record. Then they blackmail the victims with the recorded videos and extort money from them. The person behind the profile is actually a criminal whose main motive is to extort money from the victim. These fake profiles are deliberately made to look very attractive so that people fall prey to this scam easily, he added.

Constable Rajnish, who posted at Panchkula cybercrime cell, said that the cases of cheating people into indulging in virtual sex and recording them to extort money from them have seen a spike during the last one year. Over dozen such cases have been reported in Panchkula district. “We have detected a few such cases and found the culprits to be from Rajasthan and the northern belt. Recently, Panchkula police Station, Sector 20 have arrested the person, native of Alwar, Rajasthan involved in sextortion. “We have urged people to report any cybercrime cases at the earliest in order to ease the detection process. Victim can register compliant at local police station or through on toll free number 1930 or website cybercrime.gov.in,” he added.   

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab govt appoints Gaurav Yadav as Acting DGP

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

 Director General of Police (DGP). He was currently serving as the Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Yadav’s appointment comes as the incumbent VK Bhawra has proceeded on a two-month leave, seeking the central deputation. It has been learnt that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, facing severe criticism over deteriorating law and order situation, is not happy with Bhawra’s functioning.

As Bhawra’s appointment has been made by the union public service commission for a tenure of two years, the government cannot replace him, but only make a temporary appointment.

Notably, Bhawra has been in line of fire over the killing of renowned Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, whose security was withdrawn a day before the incident. Besides, the police faced several embarrassing moments in the investigation of the case and prevention of crimes. He had to clarify his statement on Moosewala’s killing, linking it to a gang war.

Interestingly, Yadav had cleared his Civil Services Examination in 1992, along with Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal. While Yadav got selected in the Indian Police Service (IPS), Kejriwal went for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Yadav had led the Punjab Police’’s 2014 international operation to apprehend one of the most wanted terrorists, Jagtar Singh Tara. Son-in-law of Punjab’s former DGP PC Dogra, Yadav has held a number of key positions, including acting as head of the Intelligence wing under the SAD-BJP government in 2016.

He was also SSP in Punjab for 10 years and Commissioner of Police for four years. He served as the Chandigarh SSP from 2002 to 2004.

Chandigarh, Punjab

GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS OATH TO FIVE NEW MINISTERS IN BHAGWANT MANN LED CABINET

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit on Monday administered the oath of office and secrecy to five new Cabinet Ministers of the state in a brief but impressive ceremony here at Punjab Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari conducted the proceedings of the ceremony with the permission of the Governor.

          The Cabinet Ministers, who were sworn in the Guru Nanak Dev auditorium within the complex of Punjab Raj Bhawan, included Aman Arora (MLA Sunam), Inderbir Singh Nijjar (MLA Amritsar South), Fauja Singh (MLA Guru Har Sahai), Chetan Singh Joramajra (MLA Samana) and Anmol Gagan Mann (MLA Kharar) were administered the oath by the Governor during the ceremony. After being sworn in the new Ministers signed the oath, which was counter signed by the Governor.

          The prominent dignitaries who attended swearing in ceremony included Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Kishan Rauri, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Bram Shanker Jimpa and Harjot Singh Bains.

          Apart from these, AAP MLAs, senior party leaders, workers and volunteers from Punjab and dignitaries from different walks of life also graced the occasion. The function was attended by the senior officers of State Civil and Police Administration besides family members, relatives and friends of the newly sworn in Cabinet Ministers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

SIDHU MOOSEWALA MURDER CASE: PUNJAB POLICE GETS TRANSIT REMAND OF FOUR ACCUSED INCLUDING TWO SHOOTERS FROM DELHI’S PATIALA HOUSE COURT

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Following the strenuous efforts made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government, Punjab Police on Monday got transit remand of four persons including two shooters in Sidhu Moosewala murder case from Patiala House Court in Delhi. Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead  by some unidentified persons on May 29, 2022.

          The Police have got transit remand of accused persons identified as Priyabarat alias Fauzi (Main Shooter), Kashish alias Kuldeep (Shooter), Deepak alias Tinu (Close aide of Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and was brought by Delhi Police on Production Warrant) and Keshav Kumar (Provided vehicle and helped in escaping shooters). 

          Pertinently, an application has been filed by the Special Prosecutor to grant the transit remand to the accused persons, formally arrested by the IO in FIR no. 103/2022 PS City One Mansa, Punjab.

          The Hon’ble Court observed that as persons arrested have been accused of committing cognizable offence, thus, the transit remand of accused persons for one day is granted to produce them before the concerned court as early as possible.

          The order further stated that the Medical examination of the accused persons be conducted as per rules and guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Apex Court. If accused persons need any medical facility, IO is directed to ensure that the accused persons get the same within time, it further reads.

          Meanwhile, original order along with record is handed over to the Police. Jail Superintendents of Tihar and Rohini are also directed to hand over the custody of the above said accused to IO SP Dharamvir Singh/DSP Gobinder Singh.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

CM HAILS HIGH COURT VERDICT TO DISMISS APPEAL BY ACCUSED IN BEHBAL KALAN FIRING

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today hailed the verdict of Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissing a bunch of petitions seeking the quashing of FIR and Investigation conducted into the Behbal Kalan firing.

The Chief Minister said that the verdict has paved way for the Government to seek strict punishment against the policeman accused of firing on innocent protestors at Behbal Kalan. Lashing out at his opponents, Bhagwant Mann said both Akalis and Congress have connived with each other to save the guilty of this case. He that while desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and firing on innocent protestors took place during the Akali regime, the Congress actively shielded the perpetrators of the crime by ineffectively defending the investigation conducted into the incidents of sacrilege in Kotkapura.

The Chief Minister said that as a result of this the challan presented in the case against political leaders and senior officials was quashed by the High Court. Bhagwant Mann further said that the Akali-Congress, nexus that was shielding the accused hitherto, has been broken with the AAP Government coming into power. He said that the verdict was a result of the firm commitment of the AAP Government to bring the guilty to book as the State Government effectively defended the investigation conducted into the Behbal Kalan firing case, whereas the Congress had failed to defend the  investigation into the Kotkapura desecration incidents.

Pertinently, in a significant judgement the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by the accused policemen in the Behbal Kalan firing case seeking quashing of the challan presented against them in the trial court. Accepting the contention of the Advocate General (AG), the court held that the charges could be framed even on strong suspicion. The court further directed a Special Investigation Team headed by Inspector General of Police Naunihal Singh, to conduct further investigation and submit their report under Section 173 Cr.P.C before the trial Court.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

‘Sex Laws in India’ Book released in Chandigarh

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Justice M.M. Kumar, former Chief Justice of J&K High Court and former President of National Company Law Tribunal and presently a Member of National Human Rights Commission released ‘Sex Laws in India’ Book at Press Club here on Sunday. Mr. Justice JC Verma (Retd.) former Judge Rajasthan HC , Mr. Justice Viney Mittal ( Retd.) former Judge Madhya Pradesh HC, Advocate Santokhwinder Singh Grewal (Nabha) the President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association were also present during occasion.

The book which is a critical assessment of sex laws for common man is co-authored by father-son duo of Sanjeev Jindal, Additional District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) and President of Distt. Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Abhishek Jindal an Advocate in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. It is published by Unistar Books Pvt Ltd.

This Book is primarily meant for the welfare of the common citizens of country and enlightens them with respect to their constitutional, fundamental and human rights so as to save them from the perversities and unnecessary harassment at the hands of the statutory law enforcement authorities especially certain unscrupulous police authorities.

Talking about book Sanjeev Jindal said that the critical assessment of the sex laws also enables the common people to shape their views and to smoothen their behavior vis-à-vis other members of the society. The beauty of this book is that it does not discuss the sex laws statute-wise and section-wise in a typical legal /academic manner but that it discusses them topic-wise in an interesting story-telling manner and in the process very smoothly encompasses all the laws on that topic and subject as embodied in different provisions of different statutes.

Abhishek Jindal said: “These topics are such with respect to whom common man come across in his routine life and which affects common man in his daily life. For example couples living in live-in relationship and adultery, run-away couples, rape, prostitution, members of third gender community i.e. gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgender vis-à-vis Section 377 I.P.C., molestation and sexual harassment of women and Public obscenity etc.”

“It is also pertinent to mention here that this book has not been written to get any critical acclaims from legal luminaries or legal technical experts or legal scholars in the field of law but for the benefit of the common man in the street who does not know much about the laws especially about the sex laws, “ Abhishek maintained.

Sanjeev Jindal said that since this book meant for the benefit and understanding of the common man of ordinary prudence in the street so the language of this book has been kept very simple in English so that even a student of 10th standard or a person having a very simple knowledge of English, is able to understand the language of this book in its right perspective and the sex laws in India in its true spirit.

Not only that, this book while discussing socio-economic problems in implementing the sex laws also makes some concrete suggestions regarding future legislation thereby giving logic reasons as to on which lines the future legislation relating to sex laws should take place so that the sex laws should help and aid the common citizens to lead their lives peacefully and with dignity, he asserted.

Meanwhile JS Bedi former Additional Advocate General Haryana, Karan Nehra Vice President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, Senior Advocate Sumeet Mahajan and Advocate Chander Mohan a leading publisher of Law Books were also present during the occasion.

Photos Caption: Mr. Justice MM Kumar ( in blue coat) former Chief Justice of J&K High Court presently a Member of National Human Rights Commission , Mr. Justice JC Verma ( in white shirt) former Judge Rajasthan HC , Mr. Justice Viney Mittal ( in grey coat) former Judge Madhya Pradesh HC, Advocate Santokhwinder Singh Grewal Nabha (2nd from left ) President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association  and book co-authors Sanjeev Jindal (in black coat and white shirt ), Additional District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) and Abhishek Jindal ( in black coat) Advocate in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh during the release of ‘Sex Laws in India’ Book at Press Club in Chandigarh on Sunday.

About Authors:

Sanjeev Jindal a LL.B. (Professional) M.A.(Public Admn.)(Gold Medalist), PG Diploma in (Indus.Relations & Personnel Mgt.), Jyotish Vishard (1.C.A.S) Chennai, is an Ex-member HCS (JB) and Ex-member HSJS.  After passing LL.B (Professional) from Punjabi University Patiala in 1983, Sanjeev Jindal got enrolled as an Advocate in Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh. He became Assistant Administrative Officer Legal-Personnel in National Ins. Co. Ltd. in Western Regional Office at Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1986. In 1987 he joined as Sub- judge-cum- Judicial Magistrate 1st Class in Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch).Thereafter, he served as Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate and Chief Judicial Magistrate. In 2002 he was promoted to Haryana Superior Judicial Service as Addl. Distt. & Sessions Judge. During this tenure, he also served as Presiding Officer Labour Court and Industrial Tribunal and retired as Principal Judge Family Court Sonipat Haryana on superannuation after putting in 34 years of service as Judicial Officer. He has a flair for writing and has a knack for putting across the dense and abstract law very succinctly to the common man. His Court had remained as a learning school for the litigants as well as the advocates who appeared on behalf of their clients. This book is the result of his long judicial experience and his empathy towards the systemic unjustness faced by the victims of sexual laws.

Abhishek Jindal is a practicing advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He is an alumnus of Army Institute of Law Mohali. He attended a certificate course at King’s College London, Waterloo campuses in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He brings in his experience as a practicing advocate on the subject and puts across many new insights.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Study Examined the Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater around a Coal Thermal Power Plant in Punjab

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Coal thermal power plants are the leading cause of environmental pollution. The fly and bottom ash from thermal power plants contain various toxic heavy metals and contaminate the environment if not appropriately managed. It affects the groundwater quality by improper disposal of coal combustion products, mainly ash which is composed of numerous heavy metals. Considering this, a team comprising experts from Panjab University and the PGIMER assessed the impact of unscientific ash disposal on groundwater quality near a thermal power plant in Ropar, Punjab, India.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Environment Studies Department, Panjab University Chandigarh, led the research team, along with Ph.D. research scholar Nitasha Vig and Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The study  ‘Heavy metal pollution assessment of groundwater and associated health risks around coal thermal power plant, Punjab, India; recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology being published by Springer Nature.

A total of fifty groundwater samples were collected from various depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters below ground level and varying distances from the thermal power plants during the pre and post-monsoon seasons. These samples were examined for specific heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Various multivariate statistical models were computed to understed the geochemistry of groundwater, including the health risk assessment of metal pollution due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater.

The results show a relatively higher concentration of arsenic and lead in the groundwater around the thermal power plants. The increased levels of a few metals above the threshold limits during the post-monsoon season indicate the possible contamination of lower groundwater aquifers due to the leaching from ash ponds. The heavy metal pollution index of groundwater was also examined and found to be exceeding the critical levels. This indicates that groundwater consumption from the upper aquifer may pose health risks to the local inhabitant.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, mentioned that the power plant should adopt appropriate eco-friendly technologies to avoid unscientific disposal of fly ash. She added that the coal power industry should adopt innovations to minimize the leaching of toxins from ash ponds into groundwater.

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlighted that deepwater aquifer is currently being used for drinking and irrigation, which is safe for human and other ecological purposes. However, he stressed that we need to establish a system for routine groundwater monitoring for various toxic metals to avoid public health risks in the near future.