Chandigarh, October 29
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the previous Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) governments for ignoring Punjab’s alarming groundwater depletion and allowing the state’s canal irrigation network to deteriorate. He said that while successive governments ignored repeated warnings from experts and failed to protect Punjab’s water resources, the government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had prioritised canal restoration, increasing canal water utilisation from 21-22% to nearly 88%.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said, “Experts had been warning for years that Punjab’s groundwater was depleting at an alarming rate, but the previous Congress and SAD-BJP governments paid no attention. Canals, minor canals and distributaries were allowed to disappear, pushing farmers towards excessive groundwater extraction and putting the future of Punjab’s coming generations at risk.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge said, “Those who put up huge hoardings claiming to be the protectors of Punjab’s waters were actually the ones who robbed Punjab of its water resources. Their actions exposed the difference between their public claims and their actual record on protecting the state’s interests.”
Recalling the history of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, he said, “When former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the SYL canal, Captain Amarinder Singh presented her with a gold spade and a silver bucket. Even earlier, during the Badal government, approval for the SYL canal had been secured. Former Haryana Chief Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal had specifically thanked Badal Sahib in the Haryana Assembly.”
Referring to the recent session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Pannu said, “Historic resolutions concerning Punjab’s water rights were introduced on the final day of the Assembly session, but Congress deliberately staged a walkout instead of standing with Punjab on this crucial issue.” He said, “Congress had already been avoiding the issue of vote theft, and when it came to Punjab’s waters, the party chose to walk out. Even after the session concluded, neither Congress nor the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) or other political parties came forward with a clear response to the resolutions.”
Pannu said, “Punjabis living across India and abroad understand the importance of these resolutions. Water is central to Punjab’s agriculture, economy and the future of its coming generations. The state cannot afford to compromise on its legitimate rights.” He concluded, “The people of Punjab will remember who stood with them when the question of their water rights came before the Assembly and who chose to remain silent. Those who rob Punjab of its waters will never be forgiven by the Punjabi community.”