Farmers predict ₹20cr loss as PPCB orders closure of cold store
KAPURTHALA: The potato growers in Kapurthala and its surrounding areas are staring at huge financial losses after the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) ordered closure of a cold storage over irregularities.
Disconnecting the power supply of the facility in Machhipal village of Kapurthala, the PPCB said the unit, sans certain approvals, had been operating illegally. Nearly, 1.25 lakh bags (each weighing 50kg) worth around ₹20 crore are stacked there. The stock there is usually lifted by November end.
The cold storage owners and the PPCB were at loggerheads for over a year over documents but they failed to submit the same. Congress MLA from Kapurthala Rana Gurjit Singh has written PPCB chairman Adarsh Pal Vig asking him to reconsider board’s decision as the potato stock will rot if power supply not resumed. He urged Vig to deferr the closure order till January next year as the farmers will clear the stock by then.
Jagir Singh, a potato grower from Feroz village of the district, said the concerned authorities must allow the cold storage facility to function normally for this season. “We were unaware about the cold storage being operating illegally,” he said.
PPCB chief environmental engineer Krunesh Garg said the action was initiated as the whole facility is sans required approvals from the board and other entities.
“We kept on asking its management to submit the documents to prove its legality for past one year but they kept on making excuses. They even moved Punjab and Haryana High court against the board but their plea was dismissed,” Garg said.
He added operations would be allowed once approvals are obtained and the same are submitted to the PPCB.