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Punjab Admits Distillery Caused Grave Environmental Damage, Orders Permanent Shutdown
8 Nov
Summary
- Punjab government admits distillery caused grave environmental damage
- Distillery ordered permanently shut down for violating environmental norms
- Polluter Pays Principle invoked, industry must pay for environmental restoration
In a major policy shift, the Punjab government has formally admitted that the Malbros International Distillery in Zira caused grave environmental damage and must be permanently shut down. This admission was made in an affidavit filed with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on November 2, 2025.
The affidavit, submitted by the state's Department of Science, Technology and Environment, describes the distillery as having a "documented history of violating environmental norms and evasion." It states that the industry has "caused serious pollution affecting air, water, soil, and public health," and that this is a "fit case for permanent closure."
