Punjab’s Political Parties Unite Under CM Bhagwant Mann’s Leadership to Protect State’s River Waters
Condemn BBMB’s Arbitrary Move to Divert Punjab’s Water Share
All Parties Praise CM for Historic Stand to Safeguard River Waters
Bhagwant Mann Expresses Gratitude to Parties for Strengthening Resolve in This Noble Fight
Reaffirms Commitment to Defend Punjab’s Water Rights at All Costs
Chandigarh, May 2,
In a remarkable display of unity, all political parties in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, came together on Friday to denounce the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) authoritarian decision to divert the state’s river waters. During a meeting at Punjab Bhawan, leaders pledged to take every possible measure to protect Punjab’s water rights, marking a historic moment of solidarity.
Meeting Highlights
The meeting saw participation from prominent leaders across the political spectrum, including:
- Congress: Former Speaker Rana KP Singh, former Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa
- Shiromani Akali Dal: Balwinder Singh Bhunder, former Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema
- BJP: State President Sunil Jakhar, former Minister Manoranjan Kalia
- BSP: Former MP and state chief Avtar Singh Karimpuri
- CPM: Secretary Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon
- CPI: Secretary Bant Singh Brar
All leaders unanimously lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for convening the meeting and uniting parties on a single platform to address the critical issue of river waters. They described his initiative as visionary, emphasizing the urgency of exploring legal, political, and administrative measures to safeguard Punjab’s interests.
Key Points of Discussion
- Condemnation of BBMB’s Actions: The parties strongly criticized BBMB’s move to allocate additional water to Haryana, calling it a blatant violation of Punjab’s rights. They highlighted the board’s decision to bypass protocol by convening a meeting in just three hours, instead of the mandatory one-week notice, to release water to Haryana.
- Support for Humanitarian Gesture: The leaders praised Mann for allocating 4,000 cusecs of water daily to Haryana since April 6 to meet their drinking water needs, despite Punjab’s own water scarcity. They noted that Haryana’s population of three crore requires only 1,700 cusecs for drinking, yet the state demanded 2.5 times more, including an additional 8,500 cusecs for irrigation, which they deemed unjustified.
- Central Government’s Role: The parties condemned the Union government for weakening Punjab’s position in BBMB by removing the Member (Power) position, traditionally held by a Punjab officer. With Punjab holding a 60% share in BBMB, they demanded veto power to prevent other stakeholders from colluding against the state.
- Haryana’s Mismanagement: The leaders pointed out that Haryana exhausted its allocated water share by March, forcing Punjab to step in with additional supplies. They criticized Haryana’s failure to manage its water resources, leading to excessive demands that burden Punjab. watch…….ਭਗਵੰਤ ਮਾਨ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਤਸਕਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਲੁੱਟ ਰੋਕਣ ਲਈ ਪੱਕੇ ਕਦਮ ਚੁੱਕੇ: ਵਿੱਤ ਮੰਤਰੀ
Political Parties’ Stance
The leaders assured Chief Minister Mann of their unwavering support in the fight to protect Punjab’s water rights. They condemned:
- Haryana’s Hostile Stance: The parties described Haryana’s demands and BBMB’s compliance as anti-Punjab and authoritarian.
- Central Government’s High-Handedness: They criticized the Union government for imposing policies that undermine Punjab’s interests.
- BBMB’s Overreach: The board’s frequent resolutions to divert Punjab’s water were labeled as unlawful and conspiratorial.
The parties vowed to rise above political differences and fight unitedly to ensure no compromise on Punjab’s water rights, leaving no stone unturned in this struggle.
Chief Minister’s Response
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Bhagwant Mann said the solidarity of all political parties has significantly boosted his morale. He announced that the state government will convene a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday to formally condemn the Union government and BBMB’s actions.
Mann reiterated Punjab’s legal and moral strength in this fight, drawing inspiration from Sikh Gurus who taught resistance against tyranny and injustice. He emphasized that the entire state, with every Punjabi standing united, vehemently opposes the central government’s stance.
Water Crisis Context
- Punjab’s Water Scarcity: The state is already facing a severe water shortage for agriculture, with depleting groundwater levels. Water levels in key dams—Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Ranjit Sagar Dam—are critically low, recorded at 32 feet, 12 feet, and 14 feet below last year’s levels, respectively.
- Haryana’s Overreach: Despite exhausting its water share in March, Haryana sought excessive allocations, including 8,500 cusecs for irrigation, which Punjab cannot afford given its own constraints.
- Humanitarian Gesture: Punjab’s allocation of 4,000 cusecs daily to Haryana since April 6 was a generous act, far exceeding the 1,700 cusecs needed for drinking water.
Mann’s Commitment
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Punjab’s water rights. He accused the Haryana and central governments of attempting to suppress Punjab, warning that such attempts will not be tolerated. Mann stressed that every drop of Punjab’s water is precious, and the state will not allow its share to be plundered.
Significance
This unprecedented unity among Punjab’s political parties, spearheaded by Bhagwant Mann, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s fight to protect its river waters. The collective resolve to challenge BBMB and the central government’s policies underscores Punjab’s determination to assert its rights. The upcoming Vidhan Sabha session is expected to amplify this stance, potentially shaping the discourse on water-sharing disputes in the region
