The Rajasthan Government has constituted a five-member committee to examine potential threats of groundwater contamination and soil pollution caused by the discharge of effluents from the proposed ethanol factory in Rathi-khera village of the Tibbi region in Hanumangarh district.
An official spokesman said the panel, headed by the Divisional Commissioner of Bikaner, includes the Special Secretary, Forest and Environment Department (Member-Secretary), Hanumangarh District Collector Arvind Agarwal, Senior Environmental Engineer, Pollution Control Board, and Surajbhan, Chief Engineer, Groundwater Department, as members.
The committee will examine and assess objections raised by various farmers’ groups and local organisations expressing concerns about groundwater depletion, contamination, and soil pollution. The panel will submit its report to the Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Department. Its term will last until the submission of the final report.
The factory management has claimed that the proposed unit will operate using zero-liquid-discharge technology and will not cause water pollution.
Farmers and agitating groups in the area have been demanding that the proposed unit be shifted elsewhere. They fear that excessive groundwater would be required for the operation of the factory and that effluents could contaminate soil and groundwater.
A massive protest held in Tibbi on December 10 turned violent, forcing the police to resort to lathi charge and tear gas. Around 70 people, including Congress MLA Abhimanyu, were injured.
On Wednesday, a Kisan Mahapanchayat was also organised, which was attended by Rakesh Tikait.