DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Launching a scathing attack at BJP led Centre and Haryana Government of "putting a knee on Punjab's neck" and looting its rightful share of water for decades, State President of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Punjab Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora exposed the historical injustices faced by Punjab over its water rights during the Special Punjab Vidhan Session, on Monday.

Addressing the house, Mr. Aman Arora recounted how Punjab has been systematically deprived of its water resources since 1955. Later in 1960 with the Indus Water Treaty, which diverted 80% of Punjab's river waters to Pakistan. He also highlighted how subsequent agreements?like the Punjab Reorganization Act (1966), the Tripartite Agreement (1981), and arbitrary assessments?further robbed Punjab of its rightful share.

Punjab has been betrayed repeatedly?whether it was Congress or BJP government at the Centre. They have always treated Punjab as a milking cow, taking our water and grain but giving nothing in return, Mr. Aman Arora said.

He pointed out that despite Punjab being a riparian state, non-riparian states like Haryana and Rajasthan were unlawfully given Punjab's water, violating international riparian laws. In 1955, Punjab's water assessment was 15.85 MAF, but by 1981, it was artificially increased to 17.17 MAF just to justify giving more water to Haryana and Rajasthan.

Mr. Aman Arora also slammed the Shiromani Akali Dal for its role in weakening Punjab's stand, recalling how the Badal-led government had demanded Rs 3 crore for the construction of SYL canal on July 4, 1978 despite knowing the fact that it's against Punjab's rights. On March 31, 1979, SAD government happily received Rs 1 crore sent by Haryana for the construction of SYL and signed Punjab's death warrant. Later accepted the Tripartite Agreement in March 1981 under pressure of Congress led Governments in Centre, Rajasthan and Haryana, he added.

Praising Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's firm stance against releasing additional water to Haryana, Mr. Aman Arora said, "Punjab has no extra water to give. We will not bow down to pressure from Delhi or Haryana." He urged all political parties to come united, warning that Punjab's survival is at stake.

Calling for a long-term solution, Mr. Aman Arora demanded the cancellation of all unjust water-sharing agreements and strict adherence to riparian principles. "If Rajasthan can be denied Narmada waters for not being a basin state, why is Punjab forced to give its waters to non-riparian states?" he questioned.

(editor@dailyworld.in)