78th Independence Day: Movement needed to save Punjab's water, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, August 15

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hoisted the national flag at Guru Gobind Singh stadium here on Thursday. Mann inspected the parade and took a salute from the march past.

Delivering his speech, from behind a bullet proof glass module, on the occasion of 78th Independence Day, Mann recalled the contribution of martyrs, including freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

“It has been 78 years since the country's Independence and freedom has special meaning for Punjabis. 80 per cent sacrifices for freedom were made by Punjabis. Be it the Kuka Lehar, Ghadar Movement, Komagatamaru incident, Babbar Akali movement or other movements, Punjabis were at the forefront. …freedom came at a very heavy price but the contributions made by Punjabis for the country despite these wounds, remains unprecedented,” he said.

He also spoke about his government initiatives such as an increase in the utilization of canal water for irrigation, setting up Schools of Eminence, and opening of more mohalla clinics which provide free medical treatment and giving over 44,000 government jobs.

Mann said that green revolution proved very expensive for the state as the water has depleted. “It has gone down to 600 feet. Named after five rivers, Punjab is in a water crisis of underground, surface as well as drinking water.

“To address this, a movement will have to be started. AAP government has begun working on this. Old canals, drains, tributaries, rivulets etc are being revived so that canal water goes to fields,” he added.

Mann said his government was setting up a 150-km Malwa canal which will cater to the irrigational needs of nearly 2 lakh acres in the southern part of the state.

He said this is the first ever canal, which is being set up in the state in the post-independence era.

He also said his government set up the 'Sadak Surakhya Force' to streamline traffic movement and check road accidents.

Mann said 14,381 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested and 10,394 drug cases have been registered in the past two and half years.

The state police have recovered 1,207 kg of heroin and 1,012 of opium and 816 kg of ganja and seized smugglers' properties worth Rs 173 crore, he said.

The CM said in the police department, 10,000 new posts will be created.

On the occasion, Mann also conferred state awards to 15 eminent personalities for their outstanding contribution in various fields besides bestowing Chief Minister’s Rakshak Padak on three police officers/officials, CM’s Medal for outstanding duty to 18 cops and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab State Annual Environment Award to two.