Punjab govt under CM Bhagwant Mann permanently closes Zira distillery, enforcing ‘zero tolerance’ on pollution to ensure clean air, water, and public health.

Under the direction of CM Bhagwant Mann, the once-polluted Punjab has entered a new and promising period where the development of the state is predicated on clean air, pure water, and healthy living rather than factory smoke. In Punjab, people’s health is now more important than financial gain.

By deciding to permanently close the contentious Malbros International Private Limited (Distillery and Ethanol Plant) in Zira, Ferozepur, the government of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has made history. Before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the government made it very clear that “there is no place for polluters in Punjab.”

For many years, this distillery in Zira had been causing environmental harm. In an affidavit submitted before the NGT on November 2, 2025, by Manish Kumar, Special Secretary, Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, the Punjab government acknowledged that the facility had long breached environmental regulations, causing land, water, and air to become contaminated. This affidavit was submitted in accordance with the September 9, 2025, order of the NGT. The government made it clear that no industry’s profit could ever outweigh residents’ fundamental entitlement to a clean environment.

The government firmly rejected the business owner’s request to only run the ethanol plant during the most recent hearing. According to the government, it is illegal and against the public interest to let any work to be done at the same site by a factory with such a bad track record. Because the end products of the distillery and the ethanol plant are chemically similar (ethyl alcohol), and because such industrial activities violate people’ fundamental right to life, the affidavit determines that this is a suitable case for the project proponent to be permanently closed. A ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy on pollution would be implemented by the Punjab government in solidarity with the people of Zira.

Also  read :  Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026: Hyderabad & Chennai Roadshows Generate Strong Industry Interest

The ‘Polluter Pays’ principle has been strictly enforced in this case, according to the administration. This implies that the full expense, including those associated with remediation and environmental restoration, must be borne by the entity responsible for the pollution. The government will make sure that Zira’s environment is completely cleaned up and that the plant owner is reimbursed for the costs. According to the affidavit, it would be against the law and public policy to let the same promoter to continue operating, and the project infractions cannot be tolerated.

For the long-running fight of local organizations in Zira, including the Public Action Committee (PAC) and the Zira Sanjha Morcha, this government decision represents a significant win. According to the PAC, this is the first time a government has publicly acknowledged that a particular industry is polluting the environment and ought to be shut down for good. This demonstrates that the government must acknowledge reality if the people are steadfast in their belief in the truth. The health of Punjab’s citizens and the goal of “Rangla Punjab” (Vibrant Punjab) are of utmost importance to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration. On November 24, the NGT will host the case’s next and last hearing.