Protect riparian rights of state, say farmers

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12

With the groundwater level depleting rapidly, farmers across the state under the aegis of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) have decided to launch a movement against the construction of the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal.

One lakh letters will be written by farmers each to the Chief Justice of India and the President, urging them to ensure that the “riparian rights of Punjab are protected and no bias is meted out to the state.”

”Farmers will plant saplings and build rainwater harvesting structures in their fields,” said president of the union Balbir Singh Rajewal after chairing a meeting of the state body of the union here today.

A campaign to plant saplings will be initiated across the state beginning Saturday. “All farmers are being asked to plant five saplings each near tube wells to stop groundwater depletion and build rainwater harvesting structures in fields as well as in their houses. We are also asking the state government to build rainwater harvesting structures in all government buildings,” he said.