Re-assess water availability: Punjab parties

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 23

Punjab leaders, cutting across party lines, today demanded a re-assessment of water availability in the state, unanimously asking the Government of India to ensure that state’s riverwaters (from Sutlej, Ravi and Beas) were not transferred from basin to non-basin areas.

At an all-party meeting chaired by CM Capt Amarinder Singh, the parties expressed concern over the depleting water resources and demanded amendments to the proposed Inter-State River Water Disputes Act to set up a tribunal to ensure Punjab got adequate water “in a just and equitable manner in keeping with its demand and securing the livelihood of future generations”.

The resolution read: “Punjab does not have surplus water and is facing a threat of desertification with declining availability of riverwater and fast-depleting groundwater.” Moved by minister SS Sarkaria, it further read, “It is unanimously resolved that the Government of India should ensure that Punjab riverwaters are not in any way transferred from basin to non-basin areas of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas as per the internationally accepted riparian principle. Further, alternatives should be ascertained, including amendments to the proposed Inter-State River Water Disputes Act.”

Though the resolution did not mention the contentious Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, leaders of all parties, including the SAD and AAP, termed any move to construct the canal as “fatal” for Punjab. The CM said an all-party delegation would meet the PM on the issue. The CM observed that the level in Punjab rivers had fallen from 17 MAF, as listed by the Eradi Commission, to less than 13 MAF.

Leader of the Opposition HS Cheema (AAP) lent support to the government in promoting diversification. “The state should file another suit in the Supreme Court seeking fresh assessment of available water and insist on redistribution on riparian laws”, he said. Aman Arora (AAP) favoured a sub-committee on the issue. SAD’s BS Bhunder, terming SYL a major issue, said apart from legal remedies, it was important to pursue the matter politically. PS Chandumajra demanded deletion of Clause 5 of the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act,2004.

MM Mittal (BJP) backed the government stand on MSP for diversification. Bant Brar (CPI) and SS Sekhon (CPM) wanted the Longowal accord be followed on water distribution. Jasbir Singh Garhi, BSP state chief, alleged that Punjab had always been discriminated against by the Centre.