Punjab CM urges centre to consider using 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 highlighted that tapping into this source could help resolve the long-standing water-sharing dispute with Haryana while also pressing for the cancellation of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project.

The proposal comes after the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, which has opened up opportunities for India to utilize Chenab water. Mann suggested diverting this water to dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, and Bhakra, with new canals built in Punjab to first meet local needs before supplying Haryana and Rajasthan.

He explained that using Chenab water would significantly reduce Punjab’s dependence on groundwater. With surface irrigation revived, farmers could benefit directly. Currently, Punjab requires 52 million acre-feet (MAF) of water but has access to only 26.75 MAF, split between 12.46 MAF from surface water and 14.29 MAF from groundwater. The Chenab diversion, Mann argued, could provide major relief to Punjab’s agriculture sector.

Mann also pushed for shelving the SYL canal in favor of alternative projects. He proposed transferring surplus Sharda River water to the Yamuna and diverting Chenab water to the Beas through the Rohtang tunnel. This approach, according to him, would secure Haryana’s needs without burdening Punjab’s already scarce resources.

Additionally, Mann insisted on revisiting the May 1994 water-sharing memorandum. He emphasized that Punjab deserves 60 percent of Yamuna’s surplus water, especially since Haryana already benefits from multiple local rivers and tributaries such as the Ghaggar, Tangri, Markanda, Saraswati, and others.

In conclusion, Punjab CM urges centre to adopt Chenab River water as a long-term and sustainable solution to Punjab’s water crisis. This move, he believes, will conserve groundwater, support farmers, and replace the controversial SYL project with fairer alternatives, ensuring equitable water management for both Punjab and Haryana.

The storm waterline project in Phase 11, Mohali, is a crucial step toward solving long-standing rainwater issues in the locality. With a sanctioned budget of Rs 2.05 crore, the initiative aims to stop flooding in homes during the monsoon season. Recently, Punjab’s Water Supply and Sanitation Minister reviews storm waterline project to check progress and push for timely completion.

On Monday, Minister Hardeep Singh Mundia personally inspected the project site. Along with him, Dr. S. S. Ahluwalia, AAP Punjab general secretary and chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, was also present. The visit focused on evaluating on-ground progress and ensuring efficiency.

During his inspection, Mundia shared that a major part of the work was already finished. This progress offers much-needed relief to residents who had been struggling with repeated flooding during heavy rainfall. The project is now seen as a permanent solution to long-standing drainage problems.

Looking ahead, Mundia instructed the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to complete the remaining work within 45 days. With the monsoon still active, timely completion will play a vital role in safeguarding families and their homes from potential damage.

For years, Phase 11 residents have endured severe waterlogging due to poor drainage infrastructure. Streets and houses often remained submerged after heavy downpours, creating distress for households and disrupting daily life. The new storm waterline aims to end this cycle by improving water flow, protecting homes, and ensuring cleaner surroundings.

Overall, the storm waterline project in Phase 11 marks a significant step toward better infrastructure and safer living conditions. As Minister Mundia actively reviews storm waterline project progress, residents look forward to a flood-free and more secure monsoon season.

The Punjab government has launched a major initiative to curb corruption in property registrations. As part of this reform, old registry clerks removed from Tehsildar offices are being replaced with newly appointed staff. Authorities took this decision after long-standing complaints that clerks had contributed to bribery and irregularities in land dealings.

Additional Chief Secretary for Revenue, Anurag Verma, instructed officials to remove the existing clerks and appoint new employees. He stressed that many clerks had remained in their posts for years, creating a nexus difficult to break. Reports also revealed that only 10 to 15 percent of the current clerks had passed the official registry exam, raising concerns about their qualifications.

To bring transparency, the Revenue Department will allow government employees with at least seven years of service to apply for clerk posts. They will have six months to clear the registry clerk exam. Authorities are also updating the outdated exam syllabus and improving training methods to match the evolving registration system.

The move comes after audits exposed issues like property value manipulation, delays, and clerks working with touts and agents. Such practices frustrated citizens who depended on Tehsildar offices for smooth property transactions. Since these offices handle thousands of registrations every month, ensuring integrity is crucial.

Deputy Commissioners have been directed to monitor the replacements closely and ensure clerks rotate regularly to prevent new corruption circles from forming. The government also warned officials against delaying or ignoring the instructions.

In conclusion, with old registry clerks removed and fresh employees appointed, Punjab hopes to restore fairness and trust in property registrations. This step aims to eliminate bribery, speed up transactions, and give people a system that works transparently for them. 🌟