Centre’s claim on Bhakra canal misleading: Kumari Selja

Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has accused the Central government of being “disconnected from ground reality” on the issue of irrigation water supply in Haryana. She said the Centre’s reply in Parliament on the Bhakra canal system was misleading and failed to reflect the suffering of farmers.

“In response to my question in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Jal Shakti claimed that there was no adverse impact on irrigation from the Bhakra canal system and that water was being supplied as per a rotational plan. But the situation on the ground is very different. Farmers are not getting enough water for irrigation,” Selja said in a statement.

The Congress MP pointed to a protest in Dabwali only a day earlier, where farmers entered an empty canal to highlight the shortage. “The Centre’s reply even said there was no adverse impact during the March-April 2025 water shortage. But farmers are saying they are not getting water even during the monsoon. That shows how ignorant the government is of the real situation,” she added.

Selja also blamed poor maintenance of the Bhakra canal system for the crisis. “Due to lack of cleaning, Haryana is not getting its full share of water. Farmers at the tail end of the canal are suffering the most,” she said. Warning of a worsening drinking water shortage, she reminded that she had earlier written to the Chief Minister demanding timely cleaning and upkeep of the canals.

Urging both the Central and state governments to act, Selja said: “The government must stop making claims on paper and act on the ground. If it fails to do so, farmers’ anger will only increase.”