SAD welcomes proposal to set up water regulatory authority in Punjab

PATIALA: Appreciating the Punjab government's move to set up a water regulatory authority in the state, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has sought that the state government should come up with a white paper on the present status of available water resources that can enable the state and the centre to take an informed decision.
Senior Akali leader and former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said that it was a step in the right direction. He said the situation was alarming with regards to the availability of water in various parts of the country and it was a need of the hour to take steps to save water for the future generations especially in the states like Punjab where the sustenance of the people is completely dependent on water as agriculture is a major source of their livelihood.
However, Chandumajra said the state government should issue a white paper on the existing situation of ground and surface water in the state.The entire picture should be put before the people of the state in this regard. There are reports that Punjab is heading towards becoming a desert in the near future, keeping in view this factor, the state government should inform about the ground realities with regard to the water in the state and also in the the region as well.
He said all facts related to the consumption of the water should be highlighted in the white paper and experts should be engaged to enlighten the people in this regard. Though the step to form the authority had been taken rather late SAD would support it after presenting its own viewpoint on the matter.
He claimed that Shiromani Akali Dal always remained on the forefront to protect Punjab waters and would continue to do so in the future also. The party would also be prepared to take up the waters issue with the central government if it would be required to protect the interest of the state.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has also welcomed the government’s decision to convene all-party meeting on this issue.