Minister Barinder Goyal initiates debate by slamming Dam Safety Act, Says It Undermines Punjab’s Rights
During a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal initiated a debate on the state's water crisis, declaring that Punjab can no longer spare even a single drop of water for Haryana due to its own acute shortage.
Goyal stated that Punjab had earlier provided 4, 000 cusecs of water to Haryana on humanitarian grounds, and that supply would continue. However, he firmly rejected Haryana's current demand for 8, 500 cusecs, saying it is not feasible given Punjab's own needs.
He also criticized the Dam Safety Act, calling it an attack on Punjab’s rights. The House, he said, demands that the Central Government immediately repeal the Act.
Following Goyal's statement, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa addressed the House, urging that a unified voice should echo from Punjab to the entire nation — that the state has no water to spare. He emphasized the need for all political parties in Punjab to come together and fight collectively on this issue.
"This is a fight we must take on together, and we stand with you in this struggle. It must be fought with full strength, " Bajwa said.