Punjab government is firmly protecting Punjab’s interests on water dispute-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann

Punjab government is firmly protecting Punjab’s interests on water dispute-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann

*Punjab is not violating anyone’s rights, Punjab does not have excess water – Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*We will not let anyone take even a drop of water that is the right of Punjab-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab ready to play the role of big brother to resolve Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal dispute-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Haryana-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann agreed to form a joint committee on Punjab’s suggestion to resolve water dispute*

*Chandigarh, January 27*

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today, during a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, advocated for a mutually agreed solution to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal and said in clear words that the Punjab government is firmly committed to protecting the interests of the state on the water dispute.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We do not have water to give to any other state, but as the elder brother of Haryana, we do not want enmity with our neighboring state and want an early resolution to this long-standing issue.”

The Chief Minister said, “Punjab does not have any surplus water to give to any other state. I make it clear that not even a drop of Punjab’s share of water can be allowed to be shared with anyone else.” He said that SYL is an emotional issue and if it is implemented, the state will have to face serious problems regarding law and order. He clarified that Punjab does not have land for the SYL canal today.

Expressing Punjab’s approach, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is the elder brother and both the states have come together here to find an amicable solution to this contentious issue. He said that both the Supreme Court and the Government of India want a mutually agreed solution to this issue but the good thing is that both the states are sitting together to resolve this issue and end their conflict on this issue.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is not depriving anyone of their due rights. He said that out of the 34.34 million acre feet (MAF) of water of the three rivers, Punjab has been allocated only 14.22 MAF, which is 40 percent, while 60 percent of the water goes to Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, while none of these rivers flows in these states.

Expressing serious concern over Punjab’s water crisis, the Chief Minister said, “With the depletion of surface water, pressure is increasing on groundwater resources. Out of 153 blocks in Punjab, water in 115 blocks has been used beyond the limit.” He said that the rate of groundwater extraction in Punjab is the highest in the entire country.

Referring to the true sentiment of Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab has been neglecting its own needs and gives 60 percent of its water to non-riparian states to meet their water needs.” He said that Punjab shares its river water with others but Punjab alone has to bear the losses of floods. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that therefore it is very important that while taking any decision, the interests of Punjab should be taken into consideration.

Quoting the verse of the holy Gurbani ‘Pavan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharti Mahatu’, he said that our great Gurus have given the status of Guru to the air, father to the water and mother to the earth. He said that the state government is following the path shown by the Gurus to save these natural resources.

The Chief Minister said, “This is the first time in recent history that both governments are having serious discussions to resolve this issue. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there is no question of victory or defeat but the interests and sentiments of Punjab and Punjabis cannot be ignored.

The Chief Minister said that water is the lifeline of both the states. While proposing the idea of forming a joint working group and holding regular meetings between the officials of both the states, Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed the hope that regular meetings of the joint working group would help in finding an amicable solution to this issue and usher in an era of unprecedented development, progress and prosperity in both the states.

On this occasion, Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Water Resources Krishan Kumar and others were present along with the Chief Minister.