The Chief Minister again stressed for curtailing paddy cultivation in order to save the fast depleting water resources in Punjab.
Addressing a gathering at the launch of the 'Mission Tandurust (healthy) Punjab' campaign at the Indian Institute of Education, Science and Research (IISER) in Mohali, near here, he said that the effort of his government would now be to transform Punjab into a healthy state by creating a healthy living environment for the people through better air, water and food quality.
The Congress government in Punjab has drawn flak in recent weeks over pollution of the rivers and other water sources by factories. Some of the owners of these polluting factories are known to be close to the ruling dispensation.
Expressing concern over the fast depleting ground water level in the 'Green Revolution' state, the Chief Minister underlined the importance of introducing crops that use less water.
"If we don't act now, things will become extremely bad for the state in the times ahead.
"Throwing of waste into the rivers by industry was not acceptable. It is the industry's responsibility to control water pollution by ensuring that no untreated water or effluent is thrown into the rivers," he said, adding that the pollution of rivers by the cities had to be stopped immediately.
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