A shocking incident came to light in Punjab’s Ludhiana where school students were taken to clean a canal without permission. According to a Hindustan Times report, the authorities of Guru Nanak Public School (GNPS), Sarabha Nagar took over 150 students of class 9 and 10 inside the Sidhwan canal and started a cleaning drive without permission from the irrigation department or the civic body .
As usual, the students reached about 15 feet of the canal bed with the help of an iron ladder fixed on the wall of the canal and collected the garbage.
A city-based environmentalist told HT that the canal remains highly polluted due to dumping of waste. Since the students did not wear any protective gear during the cleanliness drive, the environmentalist said that it could lead to skin problems or any other disease among the students.
Some environmentalists shared videos and pictures with the civic officials, following which a team of MC and irrigation department officials reached the canal and asked students and teachers to vacate the site.
Deputy Commissioner Surbhi Malik has ordered an inquiry into the incident while Municipal Commissioner Sheena Agarwal has imposed the fine. 25,000 on school To set fire to garbage.
Meanwhile, the principal of the school, Gurbej Singh Negi, denied setting fire to any material on the canal bed. He said that cleanliness drive is being carried out under Punit Nagar Abhiyan (PNA).
Nagi also referred to a letter received from the Director General of NCC Regarding running of cleanliness drive under PNA.
According to the letter (first received on October 3), the NCC had asked all schools to send success stories, photographs and videos of eco-friendly activities. Hindustan Times said a similar letter was also issued on 21 November, asking the school to send five photos and two videos by 30 November.
MC commissioner Shena Agarwal said that burning of garbage is illegal and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken strong note of it in the past. Invoice of ” Under the Solid Waste Management and Sanitation Bylaws, Rs 25,000 has been released in the name of the school principal.
Agarwal said the field staff have also been instructed to keep vigil and challan those caught throwing or burning garbage in and around the canal.
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