CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Celebration (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday launched a pointy assault on the earlier Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Celebration (SAD-BJP) governments for ignoring Punjab’s alarming groundwater depletion and permitting the state’s canal irrigation community to deteriorate. He mentioned that whereas successive governments ignored repeated warnings from specialists and failed to guard Punjab’s water assets, the federal government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had prioritised canal restoration, growing canal water utilisation from 21-22% to almost 88%.
Addressing a press convention, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu mentioned, “Specialists had been warning for years that Punjab’s groundwater was depleting at an alarming charge, however the earlier Congress and SAD-BJP governments paid no consideration. Canals, minor canals and distributaries have been allowed to vanish, pushing farmers in direction of extreme groundwater extraction and placing the way forward for Punjab’s coming generations in danger.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge mentioned, “Those that put up enormous hoardings claiming to be the protectors of Punjab’s waters have been truly those who robbed Punjab of its water assets. Their actions uncovered the distinction between their public claims and their precise report on defending the state’s pursuits.”
Recalling the historical past of the Sutlej-Yamuna Hyperlink (SYL) canal, he mentioned, “When former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the inspiration stone of the SYL canal, Captain Amarinder Singh offered her with a gold spade and a silver bucket. Even earlier, throughout the Badal authorities, approval for the SYL canal had been secured. Former Haryana Chief Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal had particularly thanked Badal Sahib within the Haryana Meeting.”
He additional mentioned, “The earlier governments went to extraordinary lengths when it got here to canal infrastructure serving the pursuits of the Badal household. Canal heights have been raised to make sure that water might attain the Badals’ non-public farmhouses, whereas the bigger query of Punjab’s water safety was uncared for.”
Baltej Pannu mentioned, “As quickly as the federal government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assumed workplace in 2022, directions have been issued to revive canal water provide on a precedence foundation. When our authorities took cost, solely 21-22% of canal water was being utilised in Punjab. At the moment, that determine has risen to almost 88%.”
He added, “Our authorities traced distributaries that had been buried underneath soil and laid roughly 14,000 kilometres of pipelines to make sure that canal water reaches farmers’ fields. This has decreased dependence on groundwater, helped farmers keep away from repeatedly deepening borewells and contributed to an enchancment within the water desk.”
He mentioned, “Restoring canal irrigation is just not merely an infrastructure train. It’s important for conserving groundwater, defending Punjab’s agricultural financial system and securing water for future generations.”
Referring to the latest session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Baltej Pannu mentioned, “Historic resolutions regarding Punjab’s water rights have been launched on the ultimate day of the Meeting session, however Congress intentionally staged a walkout as a substitute of standing with Punjab on this significant challenge.”
He mentioned, “Congress had already been avoiding the problem of vote theft, and when it got here to Punjab’s waters, the celebration selected to stroll out. Even after the session concluded, neither Congress nor the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) or different political events got here ahead with a transparent response to the resolutions.”
Focusing on the Bharatiya Janata Celebration, Baltej Pannu mentioned, “The BJP is eager to remove Punjab’s rights, but it has maintained full silence on these resolutions. Punjab deserves solutions from each political celebration that claims to characterize its individuals.”
Explaining the calls for raised by the Meeting resolutions, Baltej Pannu mentioned, “The resolutions demand that the Central Authorities overview the 1994 settlement and be sure that Punjab receives its professional share of Yamuna waters. If vital, the matter have to be resolved by a water tribunal or the Supreme Courtroom in order that Punjab’s rightful pursuits are protected.”
He added, “As a riparian state, Punjab’s authorities should retain full management over the administration and upkeep of the Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur headworks positioned inside its territory. Choices regarding Punjab’s water assets and irrigation infrastructure should respect the state’s rights and pursuits.”
Baltej Pannu mentioned, “Punjabis dwelling throughout India and overseas perceive the significance of those resolutions. Water is central to Punjab’s agriculture, financial system and the way forward for its coming generations. The state can not afford to compromise on its professional rights.”
He concluded, “The individuals of Punjab will bear in mind who stood with them when the query of their water rights got here earlier than the Meeting and who selected to stay silent. Those that rob Punjab of its waters won’t ever be forgiven by the Punjabi group.”
