CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government is contemplating to create a 'Pollution Free Zone' around Golden Temple, Amritsar to prevent the corrosion of golden plate of this historic Temple due to increasing pollution in its vicinity.

Speaking to media men Monday after handing over appointment letters to 27 beneficiaries recruited in Public Health Department on compassionate ground, Bikram Singh Majithia Public Health, Science & Technology and Environment Minister said that Punjab Government was alarmed at the reports of damage being done to the historic temple of the Sikh faith due to rising pollution level around Golden Temple.

He said that Punjab Pollution Control Board has been asked to demarcate a Pollution free Zone around Golden temple in which no vehicle would be allowed and all those activities that create smoke would be barred. He said that it was imperative for all citizens to save Golden Temple and he expected cooperation from every quarter in this campaign.

Speaking about the progress of the World Bank aided Rs. 1280 Crore Rural Water Supply Project,  Majithia said that he has already written a letter to every M.L.A of Punjab to supply list of villages in their respective constituencies for inclusion in this prestigious project. He said that that project implementation was in full swing and 23 XENS have already been appointed. He said that he has already ordered to recruitment of 24 SDEs , 41 J.Es, 20 HRD specialists, 20 Account Officers, 20 MIS specialists and 20 IECE specialist to be recruited through C-DAC purely on merit basis. He said that this recruitment process is expected to be completed with in two months and full fledged District Offices of the Project would be fully operational from February 1, 2008.

Earlier the Minister handed over appointment letters to 27 beneficiaries of Public Health Department who were recruited on compassionate ground. Those who were recruited today on compassionate ground included one JE, Six Clerks, Six Peons, one Watchman, four Gardner-cum-Watchman, Two Beldars, one labourer, three Sewer men, three Safai Sewak and one filter helper.

MLAs amd Ex-MLAs from different constituencies including Virsa Singh Valtoha, Harpreet Singh (Malout)  Rijinder Mohan Singh Chhinna and  Ranjit Singh Balian ( EX- MLA Sangrur) were present on the occasion.

From the Government side J.R. Kundal, Principal Secretary Public Health and Sanitation, Arvinder Singh and Hariender Singh (Both Chief Engineers were also present on the occasion.