Punjab News:Rajasthan Has Denied Punjab Its Rightful ₹1.44 Lakh Crore in River Water Royalties; They’re Doing Politics of ‘Dhakkashaahi’ Against Punjab on Every Front: Baltej Pannu

*BJP Wants to Snatch Every Right of Punjab, Yet Remains Completely Silent on Vidhan Sabha’s Water Resolutions: Baltej Pannu*

*Those Who Claimed to Protect Punjab’s Waters Were Ones Who Robbed Punjab: Baltej Pannu*

*Captain & Badal Govts Betrayed Punjab’s Water Interests for Their Own Benefit, Raised Canal Heights to Supply Water to Private Farmhouses: Baltej Pannu*

*Congress Deliberately Walked Out of the Assembly During Historic Resolution on Punjab’s Waters, While BJP Already Wants to Snatch Every Right of Punjab: Baltej Pannu*

*Centre Must Review the 1994 Agreement and Give Punjab Its Legitimate Share of Yamuna Waters: Baltej Pannu*

*Bhagwant Mann Govt Raises Canal Water Usage From 21-22% to Nearly 88%: Baltej Pannu*

*Congress Walked Out on Punjab’s Waters, BJP Remains Silent on State’s Rights: Baltej Pannu

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, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej 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.”

The AAP Punjab Media In-charge stated, “Punjab’s interests have suffered for decades. Punjab received royalty on its river waters until 1960, after which the payments stopped completely. Punjab has a legitimate claim to ₹1.44 lakh crore in royalties for its river waters. Rajasthan continues to receive water from Punjab free of cost and uses it for economic benefit. The people of Punjab, particularly our farmers, have made immense sacrifices to feed the nation. They cannot be expected to accept discrimination when it comes to their own natural resources,” he said.

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.”

He further said, “The previous governments went to extraordinary lengths when it came to canal infrastructure serving the interests of the Badal family. Canal heights were raised to ensure that water could reach the Badals’ private farmhouses, while the larger question of Punjab’s water security was neglected.”

Baltej Pannu said, “As soon as the government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assumed office in 2022, instructions were issued to restore canal water supply on a priority basis. When our government took charge, only 21-22% of canal water was being utilised in Punjab. Today, that figure has risen to nearly 88%.”

He added, “Our government traced distributaries that had been buried under soil and laid approximately 14,000 kilometres of pipelines to ensure that canal water reaches farmers’ fields. This has reduced dependence on groundwater, helped farmers avoid repeatedly deepening borewells and contributed to an improvement in the water table.”

He said, “Restoring canal irrigation is not merely an infrastructure exercise. It is essential for conserving groundwater, protecting Punjab’s agricultural economy and securing water for future generations.”

Referring to the recent session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Baltej 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.”

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Baltej Pannu said, “The BJP is keen to take away Punjab’s rights, yet it has maintained complete silence on these resolutions. Punjab deserves answers from every political party that claims to represent its people.”

Explaining the demands raised through the Assembly resolutions, Baltej Pannu said, “The resolutions demand that the Central Government review the 1994 agreement and ensure that Punjab receives its legitimate share of Yamuna waters. If necessary, the matter must be resolved through a water tribunal or the Supreme Court so that Punjab’s rightful interests are protected.”

He added, “As a riparian state, Punjab’s government must retain complete control over the management and maintenance of the Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur headworks located within its territory. Decisions concerning Punjab’s water resources and irrigation infrastructure must respect the state’s rights and interests.”

Baltej 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.”