Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), July 16:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday called upon the people to take a pledge to curb the depletion of groundwater and control environmental pollution.
Addressing a gathering during an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the cleaning of the holy Kali Bein, the Chief Minister said that although Punjab is known as the land of rivers, the state is currently facing a severe water crisis, making water conservation a major challenge. He highlighted that since assuming office, his government has revived 15,947 water channels across the state, enabling water to reach even the remotest villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at the time he took charge, only 21% of canal water was being utilized for irrigation in Punjab.
However, the Chief Minister proudly shared that today, 63% of the canal water is being used for irrigation. He urged people to come forward and support the state government in transforming the campaign for water and environmental conservation into a mass movement. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized the need for active public participation and full cooperation in this noble cause.
Quoting from Gurbani, the Chief Minister said, “Pavan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat”, which explains how our revered Gurus equated air (pavan) with the teacher, water (paani) with the father, and land (dharat) with the mother. Sadly, he remarked, we have failed to honor the teachings of the Gurus by polluting all three. Bhagwant Singh Mann stressed that the time has come to sincerely imbibe the essence of Gurbani to restore Punjab’s ecological and spiritual glory.
The Chief Minister expressed his fortune at having had the opportunity to pay obeisance at the sacred land graced by the footprints of the First Sikh Master, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He reminded the gathering that it was here that Guru Sahib first recited the Mool Mantar, giving it to all humanity. Guru Sahib spent nearly 14 years in this holy town, and it was a moment of great pride for me to participate in the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Kar Sewa (voluntary service) of the holy Kali Bein, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister said that the monumental effort to clean the 165-kilometer-long Kali Bein is recorded in golden letters in history. He said that this exemplary initiative has sent a powerful message to the world about the importance of preserving air and water. Bhagwant Singh Mann lauded Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal for beginning the Kar Sewa on July 16, 2000, at Gurdwara Shri Ber Sahib with an Ardaas (prayer).
The Chief Minister said it is a matter of pride that in 2022, Sant Seechewal Ji was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab and continues to serve the people. He said that Baba Ji has been a relentless voice in Parliament advocating for the protection of water bodies. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that tireless efforts of the state government and Baba ji are now focused on the cleaning of Buddha Dariya (formerly Buddha Nallah) adding he expressed hope that it will soon be restored to its pristine form.
The Chief Minister added that the Punjab Government is working on all fronts to protect the state’s water resources. He said that Development projects worth crores of rupees are currently underway to ensure the holistic development of Sultanpur Lodhi, the holy city associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured that these projects would soon be completed.
The Chief Minister emphasized that commemorating the anniversary of the restoration of Kali Bein is not merely a symbolic or ceremonial event. Rather, he said that it is intended to raise public awareness about environmental conservation to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that safeguarding the invaluable gifts of nature is a collective responsibility and urged everyone present to actively participate in a people’s movement for environmental protection.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to curbing sacrilege, the Chief Minister shared that on Monday, the government introduced the Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025 in the Vidhan Sabha. He said this sensitive and critical issue affects all Punjabis and has far-reaching implications for both current and future generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that stringent punishment is necessary to serve as a deterrent for those committing such heinous crimes.
The Chief Minister noted that Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and seers who preached love, harmony, and tolerance. However, he lamented that certain anti-Punjab forces have been trying to destroy this fabric of unity by orchestrating sacrilegious acts against holy scriptures since 2016. Bhagwant Singh Mann reaffirmed his government’s unwavering resolve to ensure exemplary punishment for the culprits involved in such acts.
Highlighting key public welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment worth ₹10 lakh to every resident family of Punjab. He proudly noted that Punjab has become the first state in India to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage to every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will provide a huge relief to the general public by offering them quality healthcare services.
Addressing the issue of drug abuse, the Chief Minister said that the drug menace had long tarnished Punjab’s image. To counter this, he said that the state government adopted a multi-pronged approach: disrupting drug supply chains, arresting key offenders, rehabilitating victims, and seizing and destroying properties of drug smugglers. Bhagwant Singh Mann mentioned that the state has launched Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh (War Against Drugs), a campaign aimed at eradicating drugs adding that as part of this, village panchayats are passing resolutions to declare their villages drug-free.
On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal welcomed all the dignitaries present.
