No funds for Capt’s mission to make Punjab healthiest state
CONSERVING ENVIRONMENT CM launches ambitious scheme with many promises across fields
MOHALI: The state government has not allocated special funds for the much-touted “Mission Tandarust Punjab”, which was launched by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on the World Environment Day at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) here on Tuesday.
The 12 departments that have been entrusted for executing the mission will have to bear the expenditure.
“Each department will fund its activities under this mission from its own sources. No separate budget, other than what may be required for information, education and communication activities, would be provided. The departments, however, will intimate the funds earmarked for various activities under this programme to the department of environment,” said Roshan Sunkaria, principal secretary, science technology and environment, while giving details of the project.
The mission is an amalgamation of responsibilities of different departments to conserve environment.
The health department has been entrusted with the responsibility of effective implementation of the Food Safety Act, especially ensuring the quality of milk and milk products, along with preventing sale of spurious and unauthorised medicines.
Similarly, the sports department will equip youth clubs with daily fitness equipment and will also promote physical activities in all schools.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will be the nodal agency for implementing and monitoring activities. For this, a state-level mission task force will be constituted to oversee the programme implementation and review it on monthly basis under the chairmanship of the Punjab chief secretary.
STOP DUMPING WASTE INTO RIVERS: CM
Launching the mission, Amarinder said it was the responsibility of the industries in the state to control pollution by ensuring that no untreated water or effluent is thrown into the rivers. He also stressed the need for curtailing paddy cultivation in order to save the depleting water resources.
“Save Punjab from turning into desert. It is responsibility of each individual,” he said, adding that the mission will transform Punjab into the healthiest state by creating a healthy living environment for people through better air, water and food quality.
Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri awardee Baba Sewa Singh said: “The authorities should put boards alongside rivers and canals displaying numbers to enable resident to complaint against pollution of water bodies.”
‘GHAR GHAR HARYALI’ PROJECT LUNCHED TOO
The CM also launched forest department’s “Ghar Ghar Haryali” project by gifting chandan (sandalwood) saplings to 13 persons who are working towards conservation of environment. “We need to go back to planting traditional trees such as kikar, neem and berry instead of poplar and eucalyptus to protect environment,” said Amarinder.
“Eucalyptus trees were introduced in state when the underground water table was 12-15 feet, but as the water level is receding, it is becoming dangerous for the state,” he said.
“Every household in the state should plant at least one tree to contribute to protection of the environment for the coming generations,” he added. On the occasion, the CM also launched “Tandarust Punjab” booklet as well as “Ghar Ghar Haryali” app for providing information about saplings available with the forest department.