6. Report of increasing Cancer deaths in Punjab draws Commission's attention

The Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a story titled "Increasing cancer deaths in Punjab" which was published in a national daily on 1 October 2005.
The report indicted that Malwa region of Punjab was turning into toxic hot spot and villages of Jajjal and Giana in the Talwandi Saboo block of Bhatinda District have reported increased cases of cancer over the last 5 years. People attributed the cases of cancer to the use of pesticides and quality of ground water. The report further indicates that a study carried out by the Community Medicine Department of PGI of Chandigarh has shown that lack of education and awareness, use of tobacco and improper storage of pesticides may have also contributed to the causes. The news report alleged that the Punjab Health Department and Punjab Agricultural University scientists have neglected the study saying that it was not adequate and there was need to have the study corroborated with various labs and agencies to get the truth.
The Commission has directed that the newspaper report be transmitted to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab for his comments.