Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the state government will flag the issue of reconstitution of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in the meeting of NIti Aayog slated to be held on Saturday.
Addressing the victory rally here today, the Chief Minister said that he will take up this issue in the meeting to be chaired by the Prime Minister. He said that as the level of water is changing frequently so every water agreement should be reviewed after every 25 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is a landlocked border state which has already over explored its only available natural resources in terms of water and fertile soil to feed the country.
However, the Chief Minister bemoaned that the manner in which BBMB became a party to snatch the legitimate share of waters of the state is unfortunate and highly condemnable. He said that Haryana had exhausted its share of water in the March of this year but the BBMB acted as a puppet in the hand of the centre government and Haryana government to snatch the waters of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in an unprecedented manner, the Chairman of BBMB himself came to Nangal to steal the waters of the state, a move which was thwarted by the people of the state.
The Chief Minister said that this is the same BBMB which had taken Rs 32 crore from Punjab for its very existential projects adding that this money was never returned to the state. He said that Punjab owes nearly Rs 150 crore (Rs 142 crore to be precise) from BBMB adding that the state government will soon stake claim for recovery of this money. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 3000 posts of Punjab’s quota have not been deliberately filled by BBMB so as to weaken the state's claim over the waters.
However, the Chief Minister said that momentum will be made for filling these posts at earliest so that interests of the state can be safeguarded. He said that even the townships like Nangal that were aesthetically designed have been ruined due to the neglect of the BBMB which is really deplorable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the BBMB played in the hands of the centre to snatch the waters of the state but the brave, hard working and resilient farmers of the state foiled their nefarious attempts.
The Chief Minister categorically said that Punjabis have proved that if the state can protect the borders of the country they can aptly save the waters of state too. He said that Punjab has a glorious history of making supreme sacrifices to protect the 532 kilometres long border with Pakistan. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this time also Punjabis were at the forefront giving a befitting reply to the Pakistani Army and on the other hand they saved the share of their water too.
The Chief Minister said that for around 20 days the hard working and vigilant people of the state didn’t allow Haryana and centre to steal even a single drop of water from Punjab. He said that for years, Punjab’s water has been diverted to other states through the BBMB adding that hands of Congress, Akalis and BJP were drenched with blood of Punjabis as these parties have backstabbed them by ignoring the water rights of the state for vested interests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the earlier leaders of Punjab had backstabbed the people on several issues by giving importance to their own interests over that of state.
He said that a former Chief Minister got a plot in Gurgaon, where they have a hotel today, for planning the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) river and issuing its survey order. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that self proclaimed savior of Punjab waters and former Chief Minister had presented silver spade to the then Prime Minister for the ground breaking ceremony of SYL at Kapoori. The Chief Minister said that BBMB was originally established to manage the waters of the Sutlej and Beas rivers but over years, Punjab’s water has been diverted to other states through the BBMB adding that the BJP government has started using this board for its political interests.
Describing BBMB as a white elephant, the Chief Minister said that it is totally useless and unacceptable in the present form adding that Punjab will never accept it now. He said that it is ironic that employees of other states are being paid from the exchequer of state and they harm the interests of Punjab only. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even the BBMB uses the money of the state to fight legal battles against Punjab, which is highly deplorable.
Batting for Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL) instead of Satluj Yamuna Link canal, the Chief Minister said that Satluj river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water from it. Rather, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that water from Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through Satluj river. He said that this is the only viable alternative which can be considered in wake of the alarming situation of water scarcity in the state.
The Chief Minister said that despite being smaller in area, Haryana is getting more water than Punjab and ironically it is demanding more water at the cost of Punjab. In wake of this fact, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that how can we give water to Haryana if our own fields are starving for it. He said that today, nearly 60% of the state’s farmlands are irrigated through canals, which makes every drop of Punjab’s water extremely valuable.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab no longer has any surplus water to give to any other state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on April 6, Haryana requested water from Punjab for drinking purposes. He said that showing generosity, Punjab gave 4,000 cusecs of water from its share to Haryana, as our Gurus have taught us that giving water to the thirsty is a great act of virtue.
On the occasion Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal thanked all the dignitaries and people who had attended the rally.
