Amritsar: Expressing serious concern over the rapidly increasing cancer cases in Amritsar, Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla stated that the situation represents not only a health crisis but also a failure of the entire administrative system.
He said that the food and water people depend on for survival are gradually turning into poison due to environmental negligence and lack of regulation. According to the MP, the primary reasons behind the growing number of cancer cases include excessive use of pesticides, food adulteration, and rising levels of uranium and other toxic elements in water sources.
Aujla alleged that farmers are not being properly educated about the safe use of pesticides, calling it a major failure of the Agriculture Department. At the same time, adulterated food products are being openly sold in markets, posing serious risks to public health.
The MP also highlighted the long-pending issue of the Tung Dhab drain, stating that he has been raising the matter continuously for the past eight years without any effective solution. He pointed out that although a new drain is being constructed in Manawala, dairy waste, chemicals, and polluted water continue to flow into it.
He criticized the lack of coordination among departments, alleging that agencies such as the Pollution Control Department and Agriculture Department are shifting responsibility onto each other while ground realities continue to worsen.
Referring to Amritsar as the sacred city of Guru Ram Das Ji, Aujla said it was unfortunate that pollution and administrative negligence are affecting a city known for its spiritual heritage and holy sarovars. The increasing number of cancer patients in such a holy region, he added, is deeply alarming.
The MP further accused government systems of being weakened by corruption, stating that although laws and departments exist, implementation on the ground remains ineffective. He emphasized that district health authorities and the Food Safety Department must be held accountable for food adulteration, while pollution authorities bear responsibility for environmental degradation.
Aujla urged citizens to question officials and demand accountability, reminding that government authorities are public servants and must answer to the people.
He also revealed that several issues had been repeatedly raised during DISHA committee meetings and reports were submitted to the government, yet no accountability has been fixed so far. According to him, only a few honest officials and leaders are preventing the system from collapsing further.
Raising infrastructure concerns, Aujla alleged large-scale corruption in bridge construction projects at Daburji, Tangra, and other locations in Amritsar. He claimed that the Daburji bridge has already sunk, while the Tangra bridge suffers from major structural flaws, posing risks of serious accidents. He warned that the National Highways Authority and concerned departments would be responsible for any future mishap.
The MP asserted that he would continue to pursue the matter until accountability is ensured and also questioned the state government’s response to such serious issues.
Referring to a recent case linked to Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, Aujla noted that although Laljit Singh Bhullar has been arrested, authorities have yet to recover his mobile phone and SIM card, raising serious concerns about the investigation process and possible corruption.
Concluding his statement, Aujla said the time has come for the government and administration to take responsibility. Failure to act promptly, he warned, could have severe consequences for future generations.
