CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Tuesday informed Punjab and Haryana high court that it had found four industrial units causing pollution in and around historical Golden Temple in Amritsar. However, samplings have revealed that rainwater in Golden Temple during rainy season is not acidic in nature and is not causing any harm, it said.
The information was placed before the high court on Tuesday through an affidavit filed by principal secretary, department of science and technology, Punjab, Vishwajeet Khanna, in response to a suo motu cognizance taken by the HC on pollution being caused to Sri Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar.
Khanna informed that Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had conducted sampling of rainwater on 15 occasions between June 18 and September 17, 2011 at four places in the Golden Temple and found that rainwater is not acidic in nature. After inspecting 19 industrial units of Amritsar, PPCB found four units to be violating the provisions of Air Pollution Act 1981, the affidavit said. It was also stated that action has been initiated against these units, of which three have been closed.
The affidavit further said that state government is taking effective steps to protect the valued heritage.
The issue had reached before the HC as Justice Ranjit Singh took cognizance of a letter by one Gursewak Singh. The letter informed that industry in and around the area is causing pollution to the gold plates fixed on the domes of Gurdwara Sahib. The HC had then issued notice to Punjab government seeking its response.
