Patiala: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has sealed a paper mill for violating pollution control norms. The power connection of the mill has also been disconnected. Highly placed sources said on specific information a PPCB team conducted a raid at the DSG Paper Mills Private Limited, located on the Main Road, Patiala, some 10 days ago. “In view of the violations, the mill was sealed a couple of days back,” said the board authorities.

Patiala, May 15: The commissioning of the 660-MW first unit of the Talwandi Sabo thermal plant scheduled for November 30 would be delayed by 10 months. Plant developer Sterlite Energy Limited has, in a letter, attributed the delay to non-signing of the fuel supply agreement (FSA) and non-availability of coal. But internal reports of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) as well as independent investigation carried out by The Tribune reveal that various electrical and civil jobs are running behind schedule.

Sangrur/Patiala: Despite a ban imposed on stubble burning, the unhealthy practice continues unabated in Sangrur and Patiala districts. Stubble burning not only pollutes the environment, but it also causes health ailments. During a visit to villages in Sunam, Sangrur and Lehragaga, it came to light that post-harvest, wheat stubble in most of the fields was burnt to ashes. A shopkeeper in Lehragaga opined that because of stubble burning, dense smoke even engulfs residential areas, thereby causing respiratory problems to inhabitants.

Chandigarh: Introduced barely three months ago, sexed semen which helps dairy farmers get only female calves from their cows is already a rage. The state had imported 5,000 sexed semen straws from the US three months ago under a pilot project. There is a demand for more even as farmers are scurrying to get hold of the last few remaining semen straws.

Three years after over a lakh trees were axed and nearly two lakh plants uprooted for widening of the National Highway-I, Punjab is finding it hard to meet its afforestation target due to paucity of forestland. So much so that the state Forest Department was now planting saplings on common village land and in educational institutes.

Chandigarh: Rain and hailstorm lashed many places across Punjab on Tuesday. Agriculture experts said the showers that lasted for around half-an-hour may harm the crop about to be harvested.

“The harvest has been delayed due to earlier cold weather conditions and the untimely rain will further damage the crop,” said Sangrur farmer Piara Singh. Sangrur agricultural officer Bakhshish Singh said the hailstorm would delay harvest at a few places.

Patiala: The electromagnetic field generated by high-tension wires can affect those with a pacemaker, say medical experts. Dr Amanpreet Garg, a cardiologist says: "People with a pacemaker must stay away from every kind of magnetic field.

But discharge of hazardous waste continues in it
Patiala: Contrary to the recent "all is well" report prepared by the high level committee constituted to monitor the pollution level in the Buddha Nullah, Ludhiana, many industrial units are still discharging hazardous waste into the nullah.

Sources in the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the state Department of Science and Technology, said that although the pollution level in the nullah has reduced, there are still many dyeing and electroplating industries discharging toxic waste into the nullah.

Patiala: Irked over the delay in release of payments for the mid-day meal schemes, many government schools in the district have closed the scheme, while others are on the verge of closing the scheme due to shortage of funds. Sources in the Education Department said that many schools in Samana block 1 and 2 and Bhadson had written letters to the DEO stating, "They have closed the scheme as they have not received payment worth thousands of rupees and could not shell out any more money from their pockets for the scheme."

As many as 1,159 patients have been tested positive for dengue so far throughout the state. Of these, 447 persons have been tested positive in Ludhiana district, 358 in Bathinda district and 239 in Muktsar district. However, as per official records, only three dengue deaths have been reported so far.

Dr JP Singh, director, Health Services, said he had been ordered by the CM and the Health Minister to assess the situation in Bathinda, Ludhiana and other districts.