Expressing concern
over the presence of uranium in drinking water in Punjab, a
Parliamentary panel has asked the Centre to take remedial measures
"without any loss of time" after it received a BARC report on the
matter.
The Standing
Committee on Rural Development, chaired by Sumitra Mahajan, also asked
the government to give a "clear cut mandate" to the Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre to submit its report in a "highly time-bound manner".
Noting that uranium
contamination has been reported in two districts of Punjab, the panel
said, "This is a very serious situation warranting action on
top priority basis.
"Uranium, being a
radioactive substance, can cause incalculable damage to the health of
human beings, livestock, environment and bio-safety," said the 19th
report on demands for grants of the Department of Drinking Water and
Sanitation.
"In their initial
assessment, the BARC has opined that there might be uranium
contamination," the panel noted in its report tabled in Parliament
during its current session.
The Department had,
thereafter, sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore to BARC to conduct a 100 per cent
survey of the entire state, it said.
"The department
intends to follow a similar policy for other places having similar
problems. The committee feels that this is a very serious situation
warranting action on top priority basis," it said. — PTI
