Slamming both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for hobnobbing with each other to snatch legitimate share of state's water, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today exhorted the people to foil the nefarious designs of these parties to ruin the state.Addressing the gathering during a state level function to celebrate Christmas Day here today, the Chief Minister said that both AAP and Congress were conniving with each other to deprive the Punjabis of every single drop of water. He said that it was on record that the Congress and AAP were both sworn enemies of the state, who have joined hands to snatch the water of state by constructing SYL in the state thereby robbing the state of its legitimate share of river water. Mr. Badal said that it was a fact that as per universally accepted Riparian principle of water sharing Punjab was the only rightful owner of river waters of the state.However, the Chief Minister said that the Congress has divested the state of its rights by giving water to Rajasthan, Haryana and other states adding that now AAP too has joined the Congress rob the waters of state. He said that while Congress had in past signed various water agreements to deprive state of its waters, the AAP was now trying its level best to ensure that these agreements were implemented at the earliest. Mr. Badal said that it was a known fact that both these parties were hell bent upon turning the state into desert by depriving it of water.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab neither has spare water to share with anyone, nor any need for the construction of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and nobody would be allowed to construct this canal in future. He today said that by conferring the ownership rights of the land acquired for the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to its original owners the SAD-BJP alliance government has buried this issue forever.Slamming the Congress party for misleading the poor and downtrodden sections of the society in order to fulfill its vested political interests, the Chief Minister said that instead of formulating the policies for the development of the weaker sections of society the Congress has always deceived them. Mr. Badal said that the net result of all these anti-poor policies of the Congress party was that the nation was confronting numerous social maladies like Poverty, inflation, corruption, illiteracy and others despite of the fact that the nature has blessed our country with a bounty of productive natural resources.Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to ensure the progress and development of the Christian community, the Chief Minister said that the state government would leave no stone unturned for this noble cause. He said that the state government has earmarked a budget of Rs 100 crore for providing suitable land for the burial ground required by the community across the state. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that a large number of pro-poor schemes has been initiated by the state government for the welfare of the community.
Lauding the Christian community for rendering marvelous services in the field of Education and Healthcare, the Chief Minister said that the community was serving the masses with true zeal and commitment. Mr. Badal said that he was highly grateful to the community for making stupendous efforts to serve the poor and needy adding that the state government would extend fulsome support and cooperation to the community in this noble cause. He said that the firm commitment and dedication of the Christian community inspires every individual to serve the mankind in real sense.Drawing a parallel between Christian and Sikh community, the Chief Minister said that both the communities have a rich tradition of fighting against tyranny, oppression and injustice. He said that while Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life for the sake of peace, communal harmony and love, the great Sikh Gurus Sri Guru Arjun Dev, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur and Sri Guru Gobind Singh also made supreme sacrifices for universal brotherhood, love and human rights.On the occasion, Chief Minister along with Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia felicitated the Christian community on this historic and sacred day.Earlier, Chairman of Punjab Minorities Commission Mr. Munawar Massih welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, former Cabinet Ministers Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah and Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Member Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Mr. Anwar Massih, Member of Punjab Minorities Commission Mr. Albert Dua, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. AK Mittal, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pardeep Sabharwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Jasdeep Singh.