Aam Aadmi Party’s state chief spokesperson, MLA, and former Punjab minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that while the government is ensuring procurement of every single grain of the Rabi crop (wheat) reaching the mandis at a war footing, it has also made solid arrangements to meet farmers’ immediate next concerns—irrigation and fertilizer needs for the Kharif (Savni) crop of paddy (PR/Parmal/Basmati).
These arrangements have been made under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.He stated that since 2022, the Mann government has spent ₹6,700 crore over four years on the renovation of canals, distributaries, and watercourses, setting a new revolutionary milestone in Punjab’s history for saving groundwater.
Before the Mann government took charge, only about 21% of the approximately 76 lakh acres of farmland received canal water irrigation. This time, the government is set to achieve a target of 86% canal irrigation for the Kharif crop. Last season, the government had already set a record by achieving 76% coverage.
Dhaliwal expressed these views while addressing gatherings during the foundation stone-laying ceremonies for road construction projects—6 km from village Hashampura to Barlas and 18 km from Ramdas to Galab—costing around ₹85 lakh, and while listening to farmers’ issues on the spot.
He clarified that increased canal irrigation has helped improve groundwater levels, a step that was even appreciated by the Union Water Minister during a Lok Sabha session, who advised other states to take inspiration from Punjab’s policy. However, like other issues, the Centre continues to adopt a discriminatory attitude towards Punjab in water matters.
He added that under an agreement in the 1920s between the Bikaner princely state, undivided Punjab, and the British government, Rajasthan paid Punjab compensation per acre for water supplied through the Ferozepur feeder canal until 1960. However, due to the alleged negligence of successive governments in Punjab from 1960 to March 2022, this compensation was discontinued.
Now, the Mann government has initiated action to recover ₹1.44 lakh crore as rightful compensation for water used by Rajasthan since 1960, but the Centre is not providing any support. Similarly, Punjab has not received justice from the Centre regarding stopping the SYL canal excavation for Haryana and ensuring Punjab’s rights in BBMB.
He asserted that Punjab, being an agrarian state, does not have a single extra drop of water to spare for other states, and the Mann government is ready to make every sacrifice to protect its water. The government is actively pursuing this cause through legislative, judicial, and public movements.