Chandigarh, July 9
The Punjab Government on Saturday vehemently pleaded for setting up a new water tribunal for the assessment of situation of riverwater in the state.
Putting forth the stand of the state at the meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Saturday, Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, while opposing issue of Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, said Punjab did not have even a single drop of water to share with other states.
Groundwater level depleting
The groundwater level is already depleting. The assessment of river water sharing by tribunals in the past is obsolete in the current scenario. Harjot Bains, Water Resources Minister
Will oppose move to change pu status
Any move to convert PU into a central university will be opposed tooth and nail. The university has an emotional place in the hearts of Punjabis. Harpal Cheema, Finance Minister
He said: “The groundwater level in the state is already depleting and most of the blocks are in dark zone. The assessment of river water sharing made by tribunals in the past is obsolete in the current scenario.”
The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Bains, on behalf of the state, demanded water from Haryana from Yamuna, citing Indus Commission Report of 1972 and said a fresh tribunal must be constituted to assess the current water situation in the state.
He said: “It will clear the picture and allow judicious use of water in the state. It is the need of the hour to ensure that Punjab’s water is not diverted to any other state through SYL or any other means.”
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema also opposed any change in the nature and character of Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Cheema stated that Panjab University was established in Lahore and after the Partition, it was shifted to Hoshiarpur and then to Chandigarh.
“Any move of the Government of India to convert Panjab University into a central university will be opposed tooth and nail. The university has an emotional place in the hearts of the people of Punjab on account of historical, cultural and provincial reasons,” he asserted.
At Amit Shah meeting, Punjab demands new tribunal on riverwater issue
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