Beas fish deaths: Punjab Govt seal sugar mill, imposes fine of Rs 25 lakh

Punjab Govt to seal sugar mill for Beas fish deaths

After the death of fish on such a large scale  was reported due to the release of molasses from a sugar mill into the Beas, sealing of the sugar mill was ordered.

Environment Minister OP Soni on Friday ordered the sealing of the sugar mill, located at Kiri Afghana in Gurdaspur, from where molasses spilled into the Beas and caused the death of hundreds of fish.

He also ordered seizure of security deposit worth Rs 25 lakh of the mill, belonging to Chadha Sugars and Industries Pvt Ltd.

The fisheries department said the dead fish include Common Carp, Rohu, Catla, Mrigol, Cat Fish, Singari, Gosh, Bam, Chital, Bata and Sol.

The minister constituted a probe committee and sought a report within three days and warned of strict action if the mill management is found guilty.

Chadha Sugars and Industries is owed by the family of deceased liquor baron Ponty Chadha. The mill is located barely 1.5 km from the Beas. Tonnes of fish were killed on Thursday after an exothermic reaction (in which heat is released) led to the discharge of molasses from a giant storage tank into an adjoining rivulet, Kahnuwan drain, which further leads to the Beas.

-PTC News