Chandigarh, May 2-
On the initiative of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann all the political parties of the state on Friday displayed rare show of unity to condemn the draconian move of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to snatch waters of the state and pledged to take every step to save the waters of the state.
During a meeting called at Punjab Bhawan here today political leaders including former Speaker Rana KP Singh and former Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa from Congress, Akali stalwart Balwinder Singh Bhunder and former Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema from Shiromani Akali Dal, state BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar and former Minister Manoranjan Kalia from BJP, former MP and state BSP Chief Avtar Singh Karimpuri, Secretary CPM Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon and Secretary CPI Bant Singh Brar unequivocally hailed the Chief Minister for convening the meeting. They unanimously said that Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken a visionary decision to bring all the political parties on a single platform to save the waters of the state. They said that it is high time that the state government should explore all the legal, political and administrative measures to safeguard the interests of the state on the issue of river waters.
All the political parties urged the Chief Minister to make every effort for protecting the rights of the state and its people over this issue of river waters adding they assured fulsome support and cooperation to him for this noble cause. They also lauded the Chief Minister for giving 4000 cusec of water to Haryana daily to meet their drinking water needs on humanitarian grounds. They said that it is a noble initiative but the manner in which the Haryana government and BBMB has adopted a hostile, authoritarian and anti-Punjab stance to snatch our waters is highly condemnable.
The political parties also condemned the high handedness of the centre government to weaken Punjab by removing Member (Power) in BBMB which was appointed from the officers of the state government. They said that Punjab has 60% share in BBMB for which it should be given Veto power so that the other stakeholders are not able to conspire against it by joining hands. They vowed that all the political parties, rising above their affiliations, will fight for safeguarding the rights of the state and no stone will be left unturned for it.
Meanwhile, profusely thanking all the political parties for extending support to the state government, the Chief Minister said that solidarity by all the political parties have given a big moral boost to him. He said that the state government will convene a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday to condemn the high handedness of the Union government and BBMB. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this crisis has been imposed upon the state by the centre but we are legally correct and morally strong to fight against it.
The Chief Minister categorically said that the great Sikh gurus have taught us to fight against tyranny, injustice and oppression adding that any such attempt by the Union government will not be tolerated. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this move has united the entire Punjab and every Punjabi is vehemently opposing this stance of the Union government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Haryana has exhausted its share of water allotted by BBMB in the month of March only after which the state had even sent around six reminders to them.
The Chief Minister said that subsequently the Haryana government had urged Punjab that they don’t even have water to cater to the drinking needs of people. He said that as a humanitarian gesture the Punjab government generously allotted 4000 cusec of water daily to Haryana from April 6. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though the population of Haryana is three crore and as per estimates 1700 cusec of water was enough to meet the needs of people of state.
However, the Chief Minister said that the Haryana government has sought 2.5 times more water from Punjab than its actual need. Despite this, he said that Punjab has been giving this water from the month of April adding that a few days back Haryana had pleaded that this water is not sufficient for it and they need 8500 cusec additional water daily. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is evident that this water is needed for irrigation purposes and this problem has arisen as Haryana has not utilized its share of water properly.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab is already grappling with shortage of water for agricultural purposes as the groundwater is receding across the state. He said that the level of water in the dams has been recorded all time low and water level at Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam and Ranjit Sagar Dam is 32 feet, 12 feet and 14 feet lower respectively as compared to last year. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every single drop of water is precious for the state and there is no question of sharing the water with any other state.
The Chief Minister said that the government of Haryana and center is trying to suppress the state and it is unfortunate that BBMB is passing new resolutions everyday to rob share of Punjab’s water. He said that as per law one week notice is required for calling a meeting of BBMB but in the haste to allow water to Haryana the meeting was convened in three hours after which water was released to Haryana. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the state government is committed to safeguard the interests of the state and no one will be allowed to plunder our waters from us.
