Villagers seek closure of a factory for discharging effluents into ground Nearly 200 villagers have fallen ill after drinking contaminated water supplied by the public-health authorities in Khaliavaas village of the district in four days. The villagers with the complaint of vomiting, stomach upset and diarrhea have been undergoing treatment in various private nursing homes besides the General Hospital and trauma centre in the town. They alleged that a factory was discharging its effluents into the ground which later got mixed with the potable water supplied by the authorities in the village. The villagers said the matter was brought to the notice of the district authorities well in time but no action was taken. “Now, we have decided to block the road and stage an indefinite dharna outside the factory if it is not shut down soon,” said a villager. “Bar Malt India Private Limited is discharging its effluents into the ground through a borewell dug on the factory premises,” he alleged and added that the dirty liquid later got mixed with the potable water. They had many times informed the district authorities and Power Minister Capt Ajay Yadav about it but to no avail, the villagers alleged. “We had also locked the factory two days ago when the authorities did not initiate any action against its owner even after hundreds of residents fall it after drinking contaminated water,” said the villager. He said they had today submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) wherein immediate closure of the factory had been demanded. Demanding a high-level probe, Rajender Singh, district president, SUCI, said gross violation of laws was being committed by the factory owner. Rewari DC CJ Rajnikaanthan could not be contacted for his comments. Minister asks pollution board to take action Power Minister and Rewari MLA Capt Ajay Yadav today visited Khaliavaas village and interacted with the agitating villagers. Talking to mediapersons, Yadav said: “I have asked the Chairman of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board to dispatch a team of officials to the village for taking water samples besides initiating action against the factory for violating the norms.” The Power Minister said he had directed the Rewari Deputy Commissioner to take appropriate action in this regard.