Jalandhar, May 9 -- The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed a Rs.7-crore environmental fine on the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation (MC) for poor sewage management.

During a review meeting chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, officials of the PPCB said the fine resulted from three city sewage treatment plants failing to meet performance standards.

"The burden of this penalty, caused by the negligence of officials, would ultimately fall on the common man. The accountability of officials concerned must be fixed," Seechewal said.

Seechewal took serious note of the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Kala Sanghian Drain, Jamsher Drain and Chitti Bein, the closure of the Wariana garbage dump, and the functio...