We’re ready to help arrest depleting water table: Envoy

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, June 18

Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu today said his country was willing to extend a helping hand to the Punjab government in an attempt to arrest the depleting water table.

The Ambassador said this in a press conference when pointed out that the water-guzzling crop of paddy was being the villain as far as water depletion was concerned.

“I have been made to understand the problem is real and severe. We need to sit and discuss the matter threadbare. My country is willing to help provided the Punjab government asks us to do so. Actually, this is such a problem that not only the Punjab and Japanese governments but all stakeholders across the world should sit together and find a solution,” said Hiramatsu.

The Ambassador was in the city at the invitation of former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. Hiramatsu maintained that despite the fact that Punjab was a border state still there were ample opportunities for investment from Japan to flow in.

Earlier, the Ambassador and his Argentinean wife Patricia Clara Aguodo Hiramatsy were honoured at a function held at a local hotel. The couple was felicitated among others by Raman Bahl, Chairman of the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board.