Chandigarh, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday accused the previous Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) governments of neglecting Punjab’s depleting groundwater reserves and allowing the state’s canal irrigation network to deteriorate. He said the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had prioritised canal restoration, increasing canal water utilisation from 21-22 per cent to nearly 88 per cent.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said experts had repeatedly warned about the alarming depletion of groundwater, but successive Congress and SAD-BJP governments had failed to take adequate measures to address the crisis.
“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,” he said.
Pannu alleged that the parties which publicly claimed to be protectors of Punjab’s water resources had failed to safeguard the state’s interests.
“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,” he said.
Recounting the history of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Pannu said former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had laid its foundation stone, an occasion on which former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh presented her with a gold spade and a silver bucket.
He also alleged that the previous SAD-BJP government had secured approval for the SYL canal. According to Pannu, former Haryana Chief Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal had specifically thanked Badal in the Haryana Assembly.
Pannu further accused the previous governments of prioritising canal infrastructure serving the interests of the Badal family over Punjab’s broader water security.
“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,” he alleged.
Highlighting the Mann government’s initiatives, Pannu said instructions were issued to restore canal water supply on a priority basis after the AAP government assumed office in 2022.
“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 said.
He added that the government had traced distributaries buried under soil and laid approximately 14,000 kilometres of pipelines to improve the delivery of canal water to farmers’ fields. According to Pannu, these measures had reduced dependence on groundwater, helped farmers avoid repeatedly deepening borewells and contributed to an improvement in the water table.
“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,” he said.
Referring to the recent session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Pannu alleged that the Congress had deliberately walked out of the Assembly when resolutions concerning Punjab’s water rights were introduced on the final day of the session.
“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.
Pannu further accused the Congress of avoiding other contentious issues and said neither the Congress nor the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) or other political parties had offered a clear response to the resolutions after the session concluded.
Targeting the BJP, he said the party had remained silent on Punjab’s water rights despite, in his allegation, seeking to curtail the state’s rights.
“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,” he said.
Explaining the demands raised through the Assembly resolutions, Pannu said the state wanted the Central Government to review the 1994 agreement and ensure Punjab received its legitimate share of Yamuna waters.
“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 said.
He also stressed that Punjab, as a riparian state, should 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,” Pannu said.
Emphasising the significance of the resolutions, he said Punjabis living across India and abroad understood the importance of protecting the state’s water resources, which he described as central to its agriculture, economy and future generations.
“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 said.
Pannu concluded by saying that the people of Punjab would remember which political parties supported the state’s water rights in the Assembly and which remained silent.
“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,” he said.
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