Farmers stage dharna over canal water project delay

Protesting for essential water

In Dhuri, the indefinite dharna outside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office, initiated by the Nehru Paani Prapti Sangharsh Committee (NPPSC), entered its second day on Thursday. Over 75 villages' farmers have taken to the streets to protest the delayed completion of a canal water project crucial for their water supply.

The protesting farmers are demanding the establishment of sub canals in their villages, connecting them to the main canals—the Bathinda branch and the Kotla branch canals. They have alleged that they submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister's office on August 8, 2022, and later on September 17, 2022, through the tehsildar of the area.

Resolution and prior notices

In October 2022, the panchayats of 47 villages passed resolutions seeking the supply of canal water. On March 6, 2023, they organized a mahapanchayat in Dhuri to highlight their concerns. The farmers have expressed their disappointment with CM Mann, claiming that although they were promised a meeting on March 13, 2023, in Chandigarh, it did not take place. Instead, officials met with the farmers.

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Long-standing project

Megh Raj, one of the protestors, explained, "These 75 villages span Dhuri, Amargarh, Malerkotla, and Mehal Kalan constituencies, and the earmarking of sub-canals was done as far back as 1986. However, the sub-canals were never constructed, and the project remained on paper." He added that the depleting water levels in the areas are a pressing issue, yet the government has not addressed it.

The protestors have voiced their growing discontent, recalling Bhagwant Mann's previous participation in their dharnas during the Congress rule. However, now they claim he avoids meeting them. They believe that staging a dharna outside his office was their only option to gain his attention.

Bhupinder Singh Longowal of the Kirti Kisan Union, a part of the NPPSC, emphasized the importance of canal networks for utilizing canal water effectively in Punjab. He criticized mere speeches and stressed the need for action to ensure adequate canal water supply in the state.

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