It has been decided by the government to set up four committees to examine the concerns of protesters at Zira, where hundreds of people are sitting on a dharna against the alleged release of effluents from a distillery-bioethanol plant in Mansurwala village.
An investigation into water pollution and the issue of public hearings not being initiated when the distillery was established (in 2007) was conducted by a three-member committee. For the purpose of looking into the cases of cancer and hepatitis-B among the people living in villages around the plant, another four-member committee of doctors has been constituted. A third committee composed of three soil scientists has been formed to examine the impact of effluent discharge on soil and water health.
Since the unit was established, a three-member committee of veterinarians has been formed to assess its impact on livestock health.
It has been requested that the villagers assist the committees in taking samples for analysis in close coordination with them. It has been requested that the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner send a list of villagers who are willing to assist these committees.
