Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today avowed to make any supreme sacrifice to safeguard the river waters of the state adding he said he will continue his relentless struggle for the rights of Punjab and welfare of its people till his last breath. Addressing a series of Sangat Darshan programs in Sri Muktsar Sahib Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister categorically stated that Punjab doesn’t have a single drop of spare water to share with anyone. He said that SYL agreement was imposed on Punjab by the successive Congress governments, which was grave injustice meted out to state and the then Congress leadership in state remained mute spectators in this regard. Mr. Badal unequivocally said people of Punjab would never forget and forgive the betrayal of Congress in divesting Punjab of its due share in river waters even abrogating the universally accepted Riparian principles. “Ironically Capt. Amarinder Singh along with other state Congress leaders accorded a rousing welcome to the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi on ground breaking ceremony of SYL, which spoke volumes of their insensitivity towards the rights of state”, said Mr. Badal. He said when the entire Congress leadership was rejoicing over the construction of SYL in state, the Shiromani Akali Dal was opposing this anti-Punjab move by launching morchas as a state wide protest and thus asked the people to introspect who was their real friend or enemy? The Chief Minister further said that water was basic ingredient of life and any such move to share the river waters of the state would be disastrous as it would ruin Punjab.
Training guns against the Congress, the Chief Minister said that the successive Congress governments at the centre have meted out step motherly treatment with the Punjab by denying it of Punjabi speaking areas, legitimate share in river waters and even its capital. He said that the Congress has inflicted a deep wound on Sikh psyche meddling in their social, political, economic and even religious matters. Mr. Badal said that none of any Punjabi could ever forgive Congress for its dubious role in orchestrating anti-Sikh riots and military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib in 1984.Talking to the media persons, the Chief Minister said that state government was keeping a strict vigil over the recent gang war incidents and assured the law and order would be maintained at any cost. Mr. Badal said that he had already instructed the DGP to show no laxity in this regard as the state government was committed to ensure security and safety of its citizens. With a view to inculcating a sense of cleanliness and hygiene in the villages, the Chief Minister announced to give a cash award of Rs. 50 lac, Rs. 25 lac and Rs. 10 lac for first, second and third village respectively selected by the state government.Highlighting significance of Sangat Darshan program, the Chief Minister said that this two-way communication model was very effective as it provided a mechanism to resolve the people’s grievances on the spot. Apart from this, sangat darshan program also hastened up the pace of development because it eliminates the scope of inordinate delay in the implementation of decisions. Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Member Parliament Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Chairman Punjab Agro Mr. Dyal Singh Kolianwali, President Youth Akali Dal Malwa Zone Mr. Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, District Planning Committee Chairman Mr. Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, Chairman Market Committee Bariwala Mr. Manjinder Singh Bittu, Joint Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Sumit Jarangal and SSP Mr. Gurpreet Singh Gill.