Need for sustainable environment for future generations: Punjab CM
Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Jun, 2023 09:56 AM
Chandigarh, June 5 (IANS) Underlining the need for providing a sustainable environment to the future generations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave a clarion call for launching a mass movement to preserve water and environment.
Chairing a state-level function to mark World Environment Day, he expressed concern over the depleting ground water table and polluting environment in the state.
He said immediate remedial steps are required to save the only precious and scarce natural resource of Punjab in terms of water along with checking the environmental pollution.
Mann said this cannot be done by the government alone but people's participation is must by launching a vigorous mass awareness campaign to sensitize them about its significance, especially in wake of global warming.
Quoting the Gurbani, he said the verse "Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat" explains how "our great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother".
Unfortunately, Mann said the words of the great Gurus have not been honoured by "us, as we have polluted all these three".
The Chief Minister said now the time has come when we must imbibe the teachings of Gurbani in letter and spirit to restore the glory of the state. While slamming the Opposition parties for blatantly ignoring the environmental issues, he said as water, air and land had no votes so these leaders ignored them.
Mann said due to this massive pollution and degradation of these natural resources took place thereby causing an irreparable loss to society, adding after the formation of the AAP government in the state steps have been taken to save the environment.
Showing concern over the gravity of the emerging situation following the fast depleting water table, the Chief Minister said almost all blocks in the state are in the dark zone as far as the groundwater is concerned.
Mann said it has happened due to reckless pumping of water in fields.
A corruption case has been registered against him and his wife, Kamal Kapoor, after the allegations of acquiring unaccounted assets were proven in a vigilance probe. The Vigilance Bureau has been granted a three-day police remand for questioning.
The Chief Minister has also proposed the names of Kartarpur MLA Balkar Singh and Lambi MLA Gurmeet Singh Khudian for their induction as Cabinet ministers. Mann has requested the Governor to accord approval to administer oath of office to the new ministers at 11 a.m. on May 31 at the Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh.
At least 10 people were killed and 55 others injured on Tuesday after a bus plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu district, police said. According to the police, the accident took place in the Jhajjar Kotli area after the driver lost control of the vehicle which was on its way to Katra town from Amritsar.
The incident occurred on May 29. In a statement issued by Air India, the airline said that a passenger on their flight AI882 on May 29 behaved in an unruly manner.
"The police is fully committed to destroy the criminals network as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann," he added. Jarnail Singh was shot dead at Sathiala village in broad daylight by three masked assailants on May 24.
The court then issued summons to Sisodia for June 1. The same court had on May 23 extended the Aam Aadmi Party leader's judicial custody for the same date in the ED case. The ED had arrested Sisodia on March 9, after the CBI arrested him on February 26 this year.
