Ravneet Bittu meets PM Modi, discusses Ludhiana West bypoll plan, water issue

Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to discuss a range of issues concerning Punjab.

During the 40-minute meeting, discussions were held on the issue of water shortage for the border state, possibilities of Punjab gaining from the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty, desilting of dams, feasibility of constructing canal systems for Doaba and Majha regions and the upcoming Ludhiana West Assembly byelection.

The PM is learnt to have asked Bittu about the landscape in Ludhiana West Assembly where the BJP had secured maximum votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is yet to name its candidate here and is waiting for the poll schedules to be announced. The Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and the Akali Dal have already announced candidates.

On the issue of waters in the midst of Punjab and Haryana's conflict over the sharing of Bhakra waters Bittu proposed an assessment of whether waters of the western tributaries of Indus could be diverted to Punjab.

"Since the IWT has been suspended and we are releasing excess waters to Pakistan, the discussion centred on whether we could find ways to divert these excess waters to Punjab," said sources.

Bittu also said like Malwa, Doaba and Majha regions should also be covered with a network of canal irrigation systems.

He also requested the PM to relax criteria for Punjab people for recruitment in the paramilitary. The issue of Bandi Sikhs was also discussed, said a source.

In a social media post later, Bittu said: "Shared my joy over India’s recent victory over Pakistan and commended his exemplary leadership in handling tough situations with grace and determination. Discussed key initiatives for Punjab’s development, focusing on growth and prosperity for our state."

He said Prime Minister Modi also shared his thoughts on the current religious and political landscape in Punjab and the path ahead.

"During the meeting, I presented two books to the Prime Minister — Guru Nanak’s Blessed Trail and The Golden Temple — both symbolising the essence of Sikhism and the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji," said Bittu.