Punjab doesn't have even a drop of water to spare or share with another state. The state shall safeguard its riparian rights at all costs and in all manners. The Minister for Water Resources, Sports, Youth Affairs and Environment Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said here today. While addressing media persons at a function held for initiation of Rs 3.10 cr projects at village Nangal, the Minister said that at present 78 blocks of Punjab state lie dark zone, which means the ground water depletion rate in these areas exceeds rate of recharging.
On the other hand the number of such blocks in Haryana was only 60. "This clearly states that Punjab doesnt have any water to share with anyone," he added. He added that the Haryana has exercised its riparian rights over the Yamuna waters and now Punjab too stands guarding its own riparian rights.
Talking about the long strides that Punjab government has made into the world of sports he said that the state will soon see 1000 sports nurseries springing up across the length and breadth of state. These nurseries will create and mentor the young talent. The Cabinet Minister added that under stewardship of Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann, the arena of sports has received huge impetus.
The sports' ministry's budget has skyrocketed from mere Rs 100 cr in previous government to Rs 550 cr thereby giving sports a new leave of life in the state. Also the sports department has been allocated around 20 acres of land at village Sanghera in district Barnala, where a huge multipurpose sports project shall come over. This project will encase all types of sports and shall serve as fountain head of sports facility in the region.
He added that the revolution in sports shall also keep young generation away from the lurking danger of drug addiction. He called upon the people to rise as community against the menace of drug addiction by forming groups cutting across political or other barriers. The Minister added that government was working tirelessly for laying underground water pipes that enable carrying water from the canal to the fields.
This strategy is working as a double edged sword by saving underground water table as well as providing farmers enough water for irrigation purposes. "Punjab has sued 24 percent more water from canal than the previous years, which is a testimony of our efforts being done to conserve groundwater and use canal water for irrigation," he said.
Minister added that this project of government has enabled irrigation water to reach even to those villages that are located at the tail end of canals. At some places, the water has reached after decades. He added that Rs 56 crores are being spent in two phases on upgradation and modernization of Barnala distributary near Nangal wherein Rs 30 cr will be spent in first phase and another Rs 26 cr in second phase.
Meanwhile, the Minister laid foundation stone of Rs 70 lakhs worth modernization of existing pond of village Nangal as Thapar Model. He also declared initiation of Rs 3.10 crores of projects for the village that include modernization of second pond too, laying playground, community hall, library, volleyball ground, multi gym and laying of underground pipes for irrigation purposes.
Prominent among others present included Dr Narinder Dhaliwal ADC (D), Hasanpreet Bharadwaj OSD to the sports Minister, XEN PPCB Harinder Singh and senior functionaries of various departments.