Will Punjab’s Leader of Opposition Support the State’s Water Resources?

Chandigarh, May 5 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Monday expressed his unwavering support for the AAP government in its vital endeavor to safeguard the state’s water resources.

Labeling water as the “soul of Punjab”, Congress leader Bajwa emphasized that this is not a political issue but rather a matter of survival for the people of the state, its agriculture, and its future.

He called for a united front among all parties to defend Punjab's lifeline.

Bajwa criticized the BJP-led Central government for policies that he argues consistently undermine Punjab’s interests.

He pointed to historical and ongoing grievances, particularly highlighting the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which he claims unfairly grants the Centre control over Punjab’s river waters through clauses 78, 79, and 80.

Bajwa demanded the immediate repeal of these clauses and the dissolution of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Act, arguing that they erode Punjab’s autonomy over its water resources.

Moreover, he urged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to strongly oppose the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which he alleged centralizes control over Punjab’s crucial dam infrastructure, including the Bhakra and Pong Dams, further undermining the state's authority.

Drawing inspiration from the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, enacted under the Congress-led government to assert Punjab’s rights over its river waters, Bajwa called for a similarly resolute stance from the AAP government.

“Punjab’s water is not just a resource, it is the lifeblood of our land, our farmers, and our identity,” he stated.

Bajwa underscored the gravity of Punjab’s water crisis with alarming statistics. According to the Central Ground Water Board (2023), 80 percent of Punjab’s groundwater blocks are over-exploited, with the state’s water table declining at a rate of 0.5-1 metre annually in key agricultural districts.

“Punjab, once India’s breadbasket, contributing over 50 percent of the nation’s foodgrain procurement during the Green Revolution, now faces desertification. If we fail to act, our next generation will inherit a barren land,” he warned.

Bajwa also accused the BJP of systematically weakening India’s federal structure. He referenced the repealed farm laws of 2020, which triggered widespread farmer protests, and the Agnipath scheme, which he claimed demoralizes Punjab’s youth aspiring to join the armed forces. “The Centre’s policies have repeatedly targeted Punjab’s farmers, youth, and resources,” he added.