Ludhiana: Industrialists allege harassment by pollution board, threaten statewide stir
Industrialists in Ludhiana on Monday warned of a Punjab-wide bandh if the Punjab Pollution Control Board does not address their objections over recent show-cause notices, alleged harassment of industrial units and disconnection of electricity supply for pollution norm violations before June 5. Industrialists protest outside the Punjab Pollution Control Board office in Ludhiana on Monday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) The warning came after police stopped members of the Consortium of Industry and Trade — comprising 14 major industrial and trade associations of Ludhiana — from holding a protest outside the PPCB office at Focal Point. Heavy police deployment, including water cannons and anti-riot vehicles, was made at the site and industrialists were not allowed to proceed with the demonstration. Following the police intervention, representatives of the industry held a meeting with senior district administration officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskiranjit Singh Teja and Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar, during which they submitted a charter of demands. Industrialists demanded the immediate transfer of PPCB Chief Environmental Engineer RK Ratra from Ludhiana and sought the appointment of what …






