Khaira demands white paper on quantity of canal water in Punjab

Bathinda: Punjab Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira has demanded the Punjab govt to issue a white paper on how much quantity of surface (canal) water flows in the canals of Punjab.
Khaira, while speaking to mediapersons in Barnala on Wednesday, alleged that the state govt under the influence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders from Delhi is trying to show that Punjab has surface water in plenty.“The 6-lakh acre command area is being shown as uncommand area by stating that it now falls under urban area that does not need irrigation facilities. To show more canal water in the state, undue pressure is being built on canal patwaris,” Khaira said.
He stated that if this was being done (inflating canal water quantity), it would weaken the case of Punjab in the Supreme Court as neighbouring Haryana might make a claim that Punjab already has water in sufficient quantity and put pressure for construction of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to carry Punjab water to its state. The state govt should issue a white paper outlining the actual water situation in the state as it has been learnt that canal water is being denied to orchards in Abohar area as well.
Khaira also stated that the Punjab water resources department had issued a notification on May 14 for the recovery of Rs 326 crore as arrears of water cess from six circles of water resources department till 2023-24. This cess is pending for long and erstwhile SAD-BJP govt had once issued orders for recovery but immediately had stalled the orders and previous Congress government never touched it. “AAP should clarify why it wants to put financial burden on farmers by making recovery of Rs 326 crore.
“I want farmers to lay siege to AAP leaders and question them,” Khaira said.
Khaira further said that if Congress succeeds in forming the government in Punjab in 2027, a three-judge judicial commission will be formed to investigate cases registered against leaders of opposition parties.