Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday said that the country can witness unprecedented progress in every sphere if both these parties spare the nation.
Chandigarh, July 11: The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday criticized the Congress and BJP for their divisive policies in the last few decades. He said that the country can witness unprecedented progress in every sphere if both these parties spare the nation. The Chief Minister participated in the debate on the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The debate was on the resolution to oppose deployment of CISF on dams.
He said that these political parties had divided the people on sectarian, regional, lingual, communal and other lines. Because of this division, states have been at loggerheads with each other. He said that the sole motive of these people has been to gain political power. This pursuit has caused irreparable damage to the country and the states. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the country can scale new heights in any field. This can happen if these parties spare the country and its people from their nefarious designs.
Mann Slams Modi: Why No Peace Between Punjab & Haryana?
The Chief Minister cited an example of the treacherous motives of these parties. He said that if Modi can end the war between Ukraine and Russia, as propagated by their media, then what stops him? Why can’t he ensure a truce between Punjab and Haryana? He said that both these states are like brothers. They contribute more than 70% to the national food pool. Over the years, both these parties who had assumed power in Punjab and Haryana ensured that conflict prevails between them. This allowed them to enjoy the fruits of power. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these forces are always eager to instigate fights between both states over issues like water. This is despite the fact that both states have several things in common.
The Chief Minister said that PM Modi is keen to become a world leader. However, he is least bothered about the affairs of the state. As a result, the fundamental issues of the citizens have been ignored. He said that sorry state of affairs persists in the country. A film made before the Pahalgam attack cannot be realized in India. Yet, the PM can go to Pakistan anytime to have Biryani by landing there. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the PM finds time to tour foreign countries. However, he fails to address the concerns of 140 crore Indians. He added that Modi celebrates foreign honors from countries with populations as small as 10,000. Meanwhile, he neglects the nation’s pressing issues.
Dams : Bhagwant Mann: Punjab Needs 23 MAF Water from Western Rivers
The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab has no spare water to share with any other state. He said that water is an emotive issue for the state and its people. The state government is committed to saving every precious drop of water. He said that the entire saga of the waters of the state starts from 1955. Unfortunately, no review of the water has taken place. This review should ideally have taken place after every 25 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the recent decision by the Government of India to suspend the Indus Water Treaty creates new opportunities. The decision opens up new possibilities. India can utilize more water from the western rivers. These rivers include the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ujh, and Kashmir rivers.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that this can ensure additional 23 MAF water for Punjab, which will be instrumental for catering to the water needs of the state and its farmers. He demanded that authorities allocate the waters of the western rivers to Punjab on a priority basis. He also urged the construction of new storage dams upstream of the existing Bhakra and Pong Dams in Himachal Pradesh. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters. He added that it is the need of the hour. Punjab has over exploited its only available natural resources, including water and fertile land. The government did this to make the country self-reliant in food production. Punjab must receive due compensation.
Dams : Bhagwant Mann: BBMB Misusing Punjab Funds, Rejects CISF Plan
“The Chief Minister labeled the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) as a white elephant and demanded its reconstitution.” He said that Punjab has a 60% share in BBMB. However, it is always working against the interests of the state. He added that the board even files a case against the state government. Funds for this are taken from Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is unwarranted and undesirable. He added, “We will not tolerate this at any cost. We will not allow anyone to jeopardize the state’s interests.”
The Chief Minister vehemently opposes the move of the Union government. They plan to deploy the CISF at the dams of the state. He stated that the state government must ensure this never becomes a reality. He said the Union government has decided to deploy CISF officers at the Bhakra Dam. This deployment will cost the state around Rs 9 crore. It will not serve any purpose. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that why should we pay this money to the BBMB when Punjab Police is already ensuring safety of the dam free of cost of dams adding that if we can safeguard the borders we can protect the dams too.
Dams : Punjab Fights for Nation, Pays for Protection? CM Mann’s Big Question!
The Chief Minister categorically said that Punjab is a border state. The state fights the nation’s war to combat terrorism and drugs. “Unfortunately, they ask us to pay a hefty fee for it.” This fee is for sending such forces on rent. Citing an example, he said that after the terrorist attack had taken place in Dinanagar (Pathankot), the Government of India had demanded Rs 7.5 crore from the state for sending para military forces during the attack. Bhagwant Singh Mann called this situation unfortunate. He finds it illogical that the state has to pay these fees. The state’s sons make the highest sacrifice in the Armed Forces.
The Chief Minister assailed the Union government for targeting the Punjab and Punjabis. He asked why people were targeting their nationality. Punjab plays a maximum role in protecting the borders. It also makes the country self reliant in food production. He said the labels ‘Gaddaar’ or ‘Sardar’ are highly derogatory and unacceptable. No one has the right to question the nationalism and patriotism of Punjabis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that we don’t need any certificate of these forces for our love for the country as it is clearly visible from our immense contribution.
The Chief Minister said the Centre is blatantly ignoring the state’s rights and misusing central agencies to arm-twist Punjab, an opposition-ruled state. He unequivocally said that they are not afraid of the misuse of CBI and ED by the Union government and will continue to serve the people without any fear. Bhagwant Mann stated firmly that central agency misuse will not silence democracy. Punjabis will never tolerate this misuse.
Bhagwant Mann Exposes Opposition’s Role in Punjab Water Crisis
The Chief Minister slammed the opposition parties of Punjab by asserting that they are non-serious over the issue of river waters as they are the main culprits behind robbing of our waters. He said that those who had eulogized them as ‘savior of water’ had done irreparable damage to the state adding that the act passed by them in the state is still under legal scrutiny. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who have gold plated taps or where the canals ended in their fields during their heydays of power don’t know the value of water due to which the state had suffered.
The Chief Minister said that these people had only misled the people on the grave and emotive issue in the last more than six decades and have hobnobbed with the anti-Punjab forces to divest the state of its waters. He said that people know it well that who had asked for the survey of the SYL or were party to the ground breaking ceremony of canal with silver spades. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as compared to this his government has safeguarded the interests of Punjab by not giving even a single drop of water to other states.
Bhagwant Mann Slams Opposition Leader’s Punjabi Knowledge
Taking the leader of opposition to cudgels, the Chief Minister questioned his scant knowledge of Punjabi language and said that probably the senior Congress leader’s convent school had not taught him this. He said that the Congress leaders just want to find a lame excuse to run away from the house proceedings and avoid getting exposed in front of the people.. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the leader of opposition is desperate to occupy the chair of CM for which he is indulging in various tantrums.
The Chief Minister quipped that this house belongs to 3.5 crore people of the Punjab and only the person elected by them has a privilege of serving them and living in this house. He said that as a matter of fact people do not elect such power hungry leaders with dubious character, who have never bothered about the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they are here in politics just because of the dismissal performance of these traditional political parties.
The Chief Minister reminded that the Congress party had not won even a single seat in the three assembly elections of the national capital, which speaks volumes of public disenchantment with them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders don’t have any credibility; therefore, people have a deep dislike for them. Furthermore, he reminded Congress leaders that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab; however, the seed of hatred will never germinate here at any cost. Moreover, he added that Punjab is a sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and seers who have always shown us the path of mutual love and tolerance.
