PSEB snaps supply to eight dyeing units
Manmeet Singh, TNN 18 August 2009

LUDHIANA: Having faced severe criticizm for causing water pollution, a few dyeing units finally saw some damaging action on Tuesday when Punjab
State Electricity Board (PSEB) snapped their power connections. The move came just a day after Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had sent a letter to PSEB, urging that the electricity supply to erring units be cut off as soon as possible.

Interestingly, the owners of eight dyeing factories did not resist the PSEB move. In contrast, when an attempt was made to carry out a similar exercise in May, power board officers, accompanied by police, had to return empty-handed when the dissenting traders did not allow them to carry out the PPCB orders.

The traders, who were sitting on a dharna in Basti Jodhewal, did seem upset by the action. As news spread that supply had also been snapped at Shri Balaji Dyeing Unit that is located on Tajpur Road and owned by an influential union leader, businessmen escalated their agitation.

Having completed legal formalities on Monday itself, PSEB began cutting connections at units identified by PPCB early in the day. Executive engineer of Focal Point HS Jogi said, "We received instructions regarding eight units only and the team has accomplished the task."

He added while seven units were in Focal Point, the eighth was on Tajpur Road.