Majithia heads panel, to report in 7 days As discharge of industrial waste into streams water of which is used for drinking has become a burning issue in the state, Punjab government has set up a committee in this regard. Bikram Singh Majithia minister for science, technology and environment will head the panel and submit a report in a week. Decision to set up the committee was taken at a meeting yesterday by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other concerned with a representatives of industry from Ludhiana. Recently, Badal government gave notices to the units concerned either to stop releasing toxic effluents into sewers and water streams like Budda Nallah or face the action. But following protest by a senior BJP leader at a function in Ludhiana, notice to units were held in abeyance. Sources said pollution problem was enormous and immediate solution was not possible. During Beant Singh's government, the Punjab Pollution Control Board had done a survey and proposed shifting of 250 units outside the Ludhiana city for setting up industrial focal point which was created for this purpose. But sources said influential persons got the plots allotted in that focal point whereas polluting units continued to work in the city. Most of the dyeing and electroplating units are culprits for toxic pollution. In Ludhaian city, Rs 245 crore has been recommended for new sewer system. However, the authorities concerned are not prepared to allow the release of toxic effluents in that sewer system arguing the treatment plants to be set up as part of the sewer project will not be able to treat toxic chemicals in the sullage. For treating toxic chemicals, separate treatment plant should be installed by the industrial units at their own level and only after cleaning the toxic chemicals, the effluents should be released into the sewer system. Sources said several industries were small scale and owners of those industries were in capable of installing own treatment plants. Common treatment plant can by installed but this requires cooperation from all industrialists concerned. There are 200 to 250 units identified as highly polluting ones. In fact, toxic effluents released in Buda Nallah have polluted the water down stream. People of several villages in Bathinda area have been complaining of supply of dirty and toxic water for drinking . High incidence of cancer in theMalwa belt is being associated with toxic content in drinking water. Sub- soil water in Ludhiana and surrounding areas has also become toxic and unfit for drinking. Several times, hand pumps had been painted red in Ludhiana city to warn people against using the water from those pumps for drinking purpose.