Not a single drop of water from Punjab to be given to other states, says Finance Minister Harpal Cheema

Ruchika M. Khanna

Chandigarh, April 20

Caught on the wrong foot on two major issues for Punjab—giving water to Haryana through the Satluj Yamuna Link canal and putting riders on its free power sop—the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday geared up to defend itself.

The party made its stand clear that not a single drop of water from Punjab would be allowed to flow out another state. The party also blamed the state’s fiscal mess on the Opposition Congress and SAD, saying that had the fiscal position been better, everyone in Punjab would get free power.

Having drawn flak over the SYL remark made by the party Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta and the statement by the state Power Minister regarding riders on the government’s free power sop, the party on Wednesday chose its “lieutenants” in Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and party spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang to defend itself and deflect the onslaught on the opposition itself, saying Punjab was paying the price for their “misdemeanours during each party’s rule”.

In a video message, Cheema said that Punjab has the sole right over its waters. “Not a single drop of water would be allowed to flow out. We are ready to make any sacrifice for preserving the riparian rights of Punjab. I am surprised that the parties that are now raising the issue are the ones who let the issue build up during their successive turns in the government. They know how to play politics on this sensitive issue. We are also making many groundwater conservation schemes and schemes to stop water pollution,” he said.

Since yesterday, the entire Opposition in the state has been attacking the government over the remarks made by state Power Minister Harbhajan Singh, wherein he had said that free power (up to 600 units in one billing cycle of two months) would not be given to those from socially disadvantaged sections and minority communities, who have over 1 Kilowatt of load or those who file Income Tax returns.

Countering the Opposition, party spokesperson Kang said had the previous Congress and Akali Dal governments not left the state finances in the doldrums, all in Punjab would have got free power.

“In just a few days, the Bhagwant Mann Government has cracked down on corruption and money thus saved is going to be diverted for paying the PSPCL for the 300 units of free power for all.

“This has rattled the Opposition, who, while in power, only misruled the state and looted the state treasury,” he said.