Chandigarh, July 11:
Launching a scathing attack on previous regimes for undermining the interests of the state, Aam Aadmi Party Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government would fight tooth and nails to protect interests of Punjab.
He was addressing the house on an official resolution moved by Water Resources Minister in Punjab Vidhan Sabha against the deployment of CISF at BBMB installations in the state.
Mr. Aman Arora said that Punjab is an agrarian state and its life revolves around farmers, their fields and water. He slammed previous governments for their short-sightedness and overly prioritising electoral gains over long-term planning, while noting that agriculture’s significant contribution to Punjab’s economy and the fact that around 70% of the state’s population depends on it.
“The people of Punjab are well aware that during the Congress regime, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, when Congress ruled Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal construction commenced from Kapuri. Punjab knows who challenged it in the Court and how it was later withdrawn during the same Congress regime”, said Mr. Aman Arora while adding that this is a very emotional issue for every Punjabi. The BJP led Centre Government also attempted to unilaterally alter the BBMB selection committee, which historically included Member (Power) from Punjab and Member (Irrigation) from Haryana. Given that Punjab bears 60% of the expenses of the BBMB project but the centre overlooked the interests and rights of the state.
He further highlighted that the BSF’s jurisdiction expansion was also done during the Congress regime. In June 2018, then Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh wrote a letter to the central government, suggesting that the security of Punjab’s jails should be handed over to the CISF, implying that the Punjab Police was not competent. This raises questions about the consistency of their stance on the state’s autonomy and security matters. He also noted that three out of the four partner states in BBMB had given consent for the deployment of central forces during the Congress party’s term.
While strongly supporting the resolution, Mr. Aman Arora reaffirmed the AAP led Punjab Government’s strong stance to protect the state’s interests and rights, while ensuring that Punjab’s rights are not compromised.
Punjab Police is competent to protect all the installations of BBMB, Mr. Arora said while dismissing the need for CISF deployment. He emphasised the state’s capability to manage its own security affairs.
