Meet Hayer : During the ongoing budget session debate on water resources, Aam Aadmi Party Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, highlighted key concerns of Punjab. He pointed out that despite being a riparian state, Punjab has not received its fair share of water, particularly from the Yamuna River following the state’s reorganization.
Meet Hayer raised concerns over the deteriorating quality of drinking water, emphasizing that the Malwa region is facing a severe clean water crisis and is battling high cancer rates. He noted that while Punjab has successfully implemented the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water, the Malwa region urgently needs canal water from the Bhakra Canal for safe drinking purposes.
Addressing the issue of recurring floods in the Ghaggar River in Sangrur, Meet Hayer stressed the need for a permanent solution. He proposed widening and strengthening a 17 km stretch of the river from Makrour Sahib to Karail. Given that the river’s catchment area covers both Punjab and Haryana, he urged the central government to take the initiative to protect flood-prone regions like Sangrur. Additionally, he suggested de-silting dams in the Kandi region to enhance their capacity, which would help mitigate floods and provide useful material for construction.
Expressing concern over Punjab’s declining groundwater levels, Meet Hayer pointed out that 117 out of 153 blocks have fallen into the dark zone. He criticized the delay in Punjab’s inclusion in the Atal Bhujal Yojana, despite meeting all eligibility criteria and being recommended by the Standing Committee of Parliament in 2020-21.
Furthermore, he highlighted the lack of funding for Punjab under the PM Krishi Irrigation Yojana. He mentioned that a ₹1,163 crore project was approved in 2015 to renovate and expand the Sutlej Canal system, but Punjab has yet to receive any financial assistance under this scheme.