SIALKOT, Aug 1: Contaminated water with toxic pollutants emitting out of the tanneries set up in the area between Upper Chenab Canal and Marala Ravi Link is infiltrating into water table.

The polluted water is not only diminishing fertility of the soil but also posing a threat to the people by causing almost incurable maladies of respiratory tract and digestive system.

Speakers said this while addressing a public forum on “Hazards posed by the use of contaminated water and need and utility of the use of safe drinking water” organised by NGO `Baydari’ in Sambrial here on Tuesday.

The speakers said the use of polluted water had considerably increased the graph of water-borne diseases in the area. They said the government should immediately implement the relevant rules and regulations binding factory owners to treat the water containing chemical waste before pouring it into water channels.

They demanded that the Sambrial Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) should install water filtration plants, remove rusted pipelines and penalise shopkeepers who supply adulterated foodstuff to the common run of people.

On this occasion, Sambrial tehsil nazim Nasir Mehmood Ghuman pledged to take proper care of these public demands.

The forum was largely attended by male and female elected representatives, social workers, religious leaders and local journalists.

Shelter home: The government has approved a `Shelter home’ for women which will cost Rs10 million.

Federal parliamentary secretary for Cabinet Division Dr Fardous Ashiq Awan told newsmen on Tuesday that the Ministry of Women Development would give necessary skill development training to local women for their welfare in collaboration with local business community.