(a) whether a recent study conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and
BARC has found traces of Uranium and other radio-active, heavy metals in the
drinking/ underground water in Punjab;
(b) if so, the details thereof: and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to deal with the problem?
MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 96 to be answered
on 16/8/2012
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): As per information available, in the year 2009. Gurunanak Dev University
analyzed for Uranium in nearly 100 ground water samples of 22 villages in Bhatinda
district in Punjab and found traces of Uranium. Subsequently, the Department of
Water Supply and Sanitation, Government of Punjab has so far sent 2,000 drinking
water samples from deep public tubewells and hand pumps to BARC, Mumbai for
analysis of Uranium. Of these, reports for 1,686 water samples have been received,
of which 261 samples show uranium concentration above the permissible limits of
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). District-wise details of water samples
sent to BARC for uranium testing and results obtained thereof are given at
Annexure-1.
Out of 981 water samples sent to Punjab Bio-Technology Incubator (PBTI), MohalL for
testing of heavy metals, as per available information, reports of 976 water samples
have been received, of which 188 water samples show heavy metals concentrations in
excess of permissible limits. District-wise details of water samples sent to PBTI
for heavy metals testing and results obtained thereof are given at Annexure-2.
(c): The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India has taken
following steps:
(i) Release of additional funds of Rs 3.80 crore to Punjab for testing Uranium and
heavy metals in drinking water sources in the affected districts in the State.
(ii) An Expert Team constituted by the Government of Punjab comprising of senior
officials from Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Science &
Technology and Government of Punjab held detailed discussions on 24l July 2012 and
shortlisted suitable technologies for field trials/ R&D.
(iii) Assisting the Government of Punjab to set up an Advanced Testing laboratory for
Uranium and Heavy metals in SAS Nagar, Mohali for intensive monitoring.