Punjab CM’s Call for Chenab River Water Usage

Punjab CM urges centre to use water from the Chenab River during a meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in Delhi on August 5, 2025. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that this water could help resolve the long-standing sharing dispute with Haryana. He also requested the cancellation of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project.

Meetings and Proposals

During their meeting, Haryana’s Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was also present. Mann recalled a previous meeting on July 9, where the Union government mentioned that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan was suspended. This change opens up the chance for India to utilize water from the Chenab River, which was previously allocated to Pakistan.

Proposal to Divert Chenab Water

Mann suggested that water from the Chenab should be directed to Indian dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, or Bhakra. However, new canals and infrastructure will need to be built in Punjab to transport this water. He emphasized that these canals will first meet Punjab’s water needs. Afterward, the same canals can supply water to Haryana and Rajasthan.

Benefits of Using Chenab Water

Using water from the Chenab will lessen Punjab’s dependence on groundwater. This is important, as Punjab faces serious issues with groundwater depletion. By using Chenab water, surface irrigation can be revived, which is crucial for farmers. Farming is vital to Punjab’s economy, and saving groundwater is essential for future generations.

• Punjab needs 52 million acre-feet (MAF) of water, but it only has 26.75 MAF.
• This includes 12.46 MAF from surface water and 14.29 MAF from groundwater.
• Utilizing Chenab water can provide significant support to agriculture.

Call for Action on SYL Project

Mann firmly reiterated his request to shelve the SYL project. He proposed that a different project should be prioritized instead. This project would use surplus water from the Sharda River to benefit the Yamuna River and divert Chenab water to the Beas River through the Rohtang tunnel.

This approach would eliminate the need for the SYL canal. Mann believes that transferring surplus water from the Sharda to the Yamuna should move forward. This would help meet Haryana’s water needs from a different source.

Water Allocation for Punjab

Mann also said that future agreements should include Punjab in allocating Yamuna waters. He noted that the government signed a memorandum of understanding on May 12, 1994, and it requires review after 2025.

Mann argued that Punjab should receive 60 percent of the Yamuna’s surplus water. He reminded everyone that Haryana has access to additional water sources. This includes receiving around 2.703 MAF from many local rivers.

• Haryana gets water from:
• Ghaggar River
• Tangri Nadi
• Markanda River
• Saraswati Nadi
• Chautang-Rakshi
• Nai Nalah
• Sahibi Nadi
• Krishna Dhuan
• Landoha Nalah

All these sources need to be considered when deciding future water sharing between Punjab and Haryana.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Punjab CM urges the Centre to consider using Chenab River water as a sustainable solution to Punjab’s water crisis. He believes this move will benefit farmers, conserve vital groundwater resources, and reduce the state’s dependency on underground sources. Cancelling the SYL project and exploring alternative water-sharing methods can help Punjab and Haryana achieve a fair and long-term resolution. This approach emphasizes the need for equitable sharing and sustainable water management for the future of both regions.

Government

Important Project in Mohali

The storm waterline project in Phase 11, Mohali, is a big step towards solving rainwater problems in the area. With a budget of Rs 2.05 crore, the project aims to prevent water from flooding homes during the rainy season. Recently, Punjab’s Water Supply and Sanitation Minister reviews storm waterline project to assess progress and ensure timely completion.

Visit from Minister Mundia

Punjab’s Water Supply and Sanitation Minister, Hardeep Singh Mundia, visited the project site on Monday. He wanted to see how much work had been done. Also present was Dr. S S Ahluwalia, who is the AAP Punjab general secretary and the chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

Progress Made

During the visit, Minister Mundia shared important updates. He said, “A significant portion of the work has already been completed.” This means that the area is seeing good changes during this monsoon season. Heavy rains used to create big problems, with water flooding many homes and causing damage. Now, the project aims to bring permanent relief to the families living there.

Future Plans

Mundia is hopeful about finishing the remaining work soon. He directed the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to complete everything within the next 45 days. This is crucial as the monsoon season can bring heavy rain, and families need protection from flooding.

Understanding the Problem

For years, residents in Phase 11 have faced serious issues due to rainwater flooding. The area did not have good drainage systems to take away water during heavy rains. This led to homes and streets becoming flooded, creating stress and damage.

Importance of the Storm Waterline

This storm waterline project is very important for the local community. Here are some reasons why:

• Prevent Water Accumulation: The project helps to drain rainwater quickly.
• Protect Homes: It will stop flooding from damaging houses.
• Improve Living Conditions: Less waterlogging means safer and cleaner streets.

By implementing this project, the government shows its commitment to improving life in the community.

Conclusion

The storm waterline project in Phase 11 is a positive change for Mohali residents. As Minister Mundia reviews storm waterline project progress, people can expect a safer and more flood-resistant future. Hopefully, the remaining work will be completed soon, allowing families to enjoy a dry and flood-free monsoon this year.

Government

Punjab Government’s New Initiative

The Punjab government is taking strong steps to fight corruption in property registrations. As part of this move, Old Registry Clerks removed from Tehsildar offices are being replaced with newly appointed staff. These clerks had been accused of contributing to bribery and corruption in the property registration process.

Anurag Verma is the Additional Chief Secretary for Revenue. He instructed officials to remove the current registry clerks from their jobs and appoint new employees in their place. This change aims to help registrars and sub-registrars manage property registrations better.

Dealing with Corruption

This decision comes after many reports of corruption and bribery. Corruption has been a big problem in the tehsil offices. Despite previous efforts to fix this, the issue has not improved much. Anurag Verma explained, “The nexus is proving difficult to break because the same registry clerks have continued in their posts for years.”

Deputy Commissioners reported that only 10 to 15 percent of the current clerks have passed the official registry clerk exam, which plays a crucial role in qualifying for the job. Even after authorities removed some clerks, many managed to return to their positions. These actions raised concerns about their possible involvement in corrupt practices.

New Employees for a Fresh Start

To tackle this problem, the Punjab Revenue Department will now put new employees in place. Anyone who has worked for the government for at least seven years can apply for these jobs. These new recruits will receive six months to pass the registry clerk qualification exam.

Anurag Verma also emphasized the need to update the recruitment and training process for registry clerks. He said, “The registry system has changed significantly, but the exam syllabus for registry clerks is still outdated. We are revising it.” The authorities plan to improve how they train registry clerks.

Building Trust in Land Registrations

The government’s plan is a part of a bigger effort to increase trust and transparency in the land registration system. This system has faced many challenges, including bribery and long wait times. People often complained about the way transactions were handled.

The state government has directed district administrations to implement these changes quickly and provide regular updates on the progress. It has also clearly warned officials not to delay or ignore these instructions.

Reports of Manipulation

Recent reports and audits revealed problems like manipulation in property values and delays in issuing property registries. Some registry clerks were even found working closely with touts and agents. These issues have caused a lot of frustration among people trying to register their properties.

Monitoring the Changes

The Punjab government has also told deputy commissioners to watch over the replacement process. They want to make sure that new clerks are doing their jobs correctly. Additionally, clerks will be rotated regularly. This helps prevent new groups of corruption from forming.

The Importance of Tehsildar Offices

Tehsildar offices play a vital role in Punjab. They handle thousands of property transactions every month. These offices are the main connection between the government and the citizens. However, people have long complained about harassment and corruption in these offices. This has led to the government taking these serious measures.

Conclusion

In summary, the Punjab government is making necessary changes to improve the property registration system. By removing long-serving clerks and bringing in new employees, they hope to create a fairer process for everyone. The aim is to stop corruption and build trust in a system that many have found frustrating.

With these changes, the government hopes that people will feel more confident when dealing with property registrations. It is essential for the system to be clear and trustworthy. The people of Punjab deserve a system that works for them without fear of bribery or delays. 🌟

Government