CM Mann orders shutting down of liquor factory in Ferozepur’s Zira

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced his decision to shut down a  liquor factory in Ferozpur district’s Zira.

The Punjab CM took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce his decision, stating in Punjabi, “No one will be allowed to spoil the air of Punjab… Therefore, after consulting legal experts, a big decision has been taken in public interest… I have issued orders to close the Zira Liquor Factory and in the future even if anyone tries to spoil the environment, they will not be spared.”

Attested with the Tweet was a video of CM Mann detailing his decision.

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਆਬੋ-ਹਵਾ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਖਰਾਬ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ…ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਕਾਨੂੰਨੀ ਮਾਹਿਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਲਾਹ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਲੋਕਹਿੱਤ 'ਚ ਇੱਕ ਵੱਡਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ…

ਮੈਂ ਜ਼ੀਰਾ ਸ਼ਰਾਬ ਫੈਕਟਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਜਾਰੀ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਨੇ ਤੇ ਭਵਿੱਖ 'ਚ ਵੀ ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਾਤਾਵਰਣ ਵਿਗਾੜਨ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਬਖਸ਼ਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ.. pic.twitter.com/0ZYruxvYcu

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) January 17, 2023

The ethanol plant in Zira, which was owned by former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA and liquor baron Deep Malhotra, had been the subject of protests by the farm unions for the last few months, who alleged that the liquor factory had been causing damage to the water supply, air and the environment in the region.

Earlier, Punjab Government had reportedly arrested 46 farmers who had been protesting in front of the factory. The farmers have reportedly since been released, according to media reports.