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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP politicising Operation Sindoor for electoral gain, alleges Kumari Selja; Congress MP slams BJP for silence on leaders' insulting women
Hisar: Congress general secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting Operation Sindoor for political gain instead of uniting the nation in the fight against terrorism. A ddressing the media in Hisar on Friday, she praised the Army's courage but criticised the BJP-led central govt for what she described as its failure to uphold democratic values. "The Army has made the nation proud consistently with its bravery," Selja said. "But rather than recognising this nationally, the BJP is using the counter-terrorism operation after the Pahalgam attack to serve its own political agenda. " She said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had made it clear that the party stood with the govt in combating terrorism, yet the BJP refused to acknowledge bipartisan support or uphold Parliamentary decorum. Selja also condemned the governing party's silence on what she called "repeated instances of disrespect" towards women by senior BJP members. "Insulting women's dignity cannot be brushed aside. The BJP must act decisively rather than protect those responsible," she said. Turning to regional issues, Selja demanded quick action on the long-standing Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute, urging Punjab to release Haryana's rightful share of water. She accused both the central and Haryana govts of inaction. "The Haryana govt is only making statements. On the ground, nothing is being done," she claimed, adding that a breakdown in coordination between the administration and the BJP govt had left citizens to "run from pillar to post" for basic services. Several senior Congress figures, including former Haryana Public Service Commission member Jagannath, ex-judicial tax tribunal member Harpal Boora, advocate Lal Bahadur Khowal, and Krishna Satrod attended the press briefing. MSID:: 121536343 413 |
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab minister criticizes Sukhbir Badal over land pooling scheme and past governance.
Ludhiana: Punjab minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh launched a blistering attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday, accusing the former deputy chief minister of corruption, arrogance, and misleading the public over the Bhagwant Mann govt's land-pooling scheme. Speaking to reporters in the Ludhiana West constituency, Sondh dismissed Badal's recent remarks as "baseless" and claimed they revealed the Akali leader's "political and financial desperation." "Sukhbir Badal is not fighting for farmers," Sondh said. "He's defending his own interests and the land mafia nexus he built during his time in power. Every Punjabi knows that illegal construction in the state flourished under the Badal family's watch. " The minister said the Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's land-pooling scheme posed no threat to farmers. Participation in the scheme, he said, is entirely voluntary and designed to increase land value by developing roads, lighting, sanitation, and other infrastructure. "Farmers who choose to participate will receive 1,000 square yards of residential and 200 square yards of commercial land per acre — a return that will multiply in value fivefold within a few years," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Zumbido e perda de audição? Médico revela técnica caseira de 1 real para aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo Sondh accused Badal of fearmongering and double standards. "The man who now claims to support farmers had earlier backed the Centre's three black farm laws. He only reversed his stance under public pressure," he said, adding that Sukhbir's wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, failed to deliver any meaningful development during her tenure as Union food processing minister. The minister also targeted the SAD chief over the contentious Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, accusing him of compromising Punjab's interests for "personal economic gain." He criticised Badal for "disregarding" the authority of Akal Takht Sahib and treating Sikh institutions as "political tools." "Sukhbir Badal has no moral authority to speak on Punjab's issues," Sondh said. "His legacy is one of crime, corruption, and collusion with land mafias — not of service to the people. " The Mann govt, he added, was committed to cleaning up Punjab's politics and eliminating drugs, corruption, and land-related exploitation. MSID:: 121469159 413 |
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab CM urges Centre to help resolve water-sharing issues with Haryana
NEW DELHI: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday urged the Centre to step in to resolve water related issues between Punjab and Haryana evn as he denounced the Centre over deployment of CISF at the Bhakra Nangal dam. He also sought Rs 2,829 crore grant to check drug trafficking and upscale border security, and install 50 additional jamming systems to counter drones on the 553 km border with Pakistan. Sources said that while participating in the Niti Aayog's Governing Council meeting Mann suggested that Centre can convene a meeting between him and his Haryana counterpart on the matters relating to water sharing as they 'don't want to politicise' this. Punjab and Haryana have been at loggerheads over the distribution of water with the AAP govt refusing to share water from Bhakra dam, saying the neighbouring state has already used its share of water. As per an official statement issued by Punjab govt, Mann also flagged the water sharing dispute with Haryana and a 'biased' approach against Punjab. It added that the CM reiterated that Punjab has no surplus water for any state. 'Asserting that in wake of grim situation of water in the state Yamuna-Sutlej-Link (YSL) canal should be considered for construction instead of the Satluj-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal, Mann said that Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers are already in deficit and water should be diverted from surplus to deficit basins,' the statement said. It added that Punjab has repeatedly requested to be included in negotiations for the allocation of Yamuna waters as a pact for YSL Project was signed between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh on March 12, 1954 which entitled the erstwhile Punjab to two-third of the Yamuna water. The agreement did not specify the area to be irrigated by Yamuna, he said, adding that before the re-organisation, the Yamuna, like the Ravi and Beas flowed through Punjab. Alleging a 'biased' approach of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Mann claimed Punjab had been liberal in sharing water with the partner states to meet their drinking water and other needs, even as the state relied upon its groundwater reserves to meet its demands, particularly to irrigate the paddy. He added that now with the upgraded canal structure, Punjab is running short of water and even its share from the rivers is not enough to meet its needs. Mann alleged that the BBMB, despite repeated requests, did not advise other partner states to regulate the release of water to Haryana, and as a result, it exhausted its share by March 30. In his address, CM said that on humanitarian grounds, Punjab decided to release 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana. However, BBMB ignored the state's interests and decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to its neighbour despite serious objections. He called this action against the spirit and provisions of the law and sought BBMB be advised to restrain itself and act within the law.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No surplus water for other states, BBMB has biased approach: Punjab CM Mann at Niti Aayog meeting
CHANDIGARH: Taking part in the meeting of the 10th Governing Council of the Niti Aayog on Saturday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reiterated that Punjab has no surplus water for other states. Mann said that in the wake of the grim water situation in the state, the Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal should be considered for construction instead of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. He said the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers are already in deficit and water should be diverted from surplus to deficit basins. He said Punjab has repeatedly requested to be included in negotiations for the allocation of Yamuna waters as a pact for the Yamuna-Sutlej Link project was signed between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh on March 12, 1954 which entitled the erstwhile Punjab to two-thirds of the Yamuna waters. Mann said this agreement did not specify any particular area to be irrigated by Yamuna waters, adding that before the re-organization, the Yamuna river, like the Ravi and Beas, flowed through the erstwhile state of Punjab. However, he bemoaned that while apportioning the river waters between Punjab and Haryana, the Yamuna waters were not considered, whereas the waters of Ravi and Beas were duly taken into account. Citing a 1972 report by the Irrigation Commission, constituted by the Centre, Mann said it states that Punjab (post-1966, after its reorganization) falls within the Yamuna River Basin. Hence, if Haryana has a claim over the waters of the Ravi and Beas rivers, Punjab should also have an equal claim on the Yamuna waters, he insisted. Mann said these requests have been ignored, adding that due to non-construction of storage structures on the Yamuna river, the water is being wasted. He urged that Punjab's claim should be considered during the revision of this agreement, and the state should be given its due rights to Yamuna waters. Alleging that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has a biased approach, he said it was constituted under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, with the mandate to regulate the supply of water and power from the Bhakra, Nangal and Beas projects to the partner states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh. He said that in the past, Punjab had been very liberal in sharing water with the partner states to meet their drinking water and other genuine requirements. Punjab was relying upon its groundwater reserves to meet its demand of water, particularly for the paddy crop.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
INLD to stop Punjab vehicles on May 25 amid water row
Deciding to step up pressure on Punjab over the Bhakra water dispute, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Tuesday announced a blockade of the Punjab-Haryana border on May 25, warning that all vehicles bearing Punjab number plates would be stopped. The party threatened to escalate the protest by setting up permanent protest camps (morchas) along the border if Punjab fails to release the full quota of water to Haryana by June 1. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the party's national and state executive bodies in Chandigarh, INLD national president Abhay Singh Chautala accused the Punjab government of releasing only 5,000 cusecs of water instead of the agreed 9,000 cusecs from the Bhakra system. He said the shortfall had led to a severe water crisis in Haryana, affecting not just irrigation but also drinking water for people and livestock. 'We will not accept even one cusec less than 9,000 cusec. If Punjab does not comply, we will begin permanent sit-in protests from June 1,' Chautala declared. 'On May 25, we will enforce a symbolic blockade of Punjab-Haryana border routes, and all vehicles with Punjab number plates will be stopped.' The party plans to seal the borders in different regions. In the Ambala zone, INLD state president Rampal Majra will lead the blockade at two Punjab border points. At Sirsa, the protest will be led by Aditya Devilal, while Abhay Chautala himself will lead the agitation at the Narwana border with support from the Gurugram zone and Jind district units. Chautala also extended an invitation to the Congress to join the agitation, saying, 'If the Congress is truly serious about the water issue, it should stand with us in this struggle.' The party also passed a resolution to revive its agitation for the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, a long-pending inter-state water dispute between Punjab and Haryana. In protest against Punjab's refusal to release Bhakra waters, a 15-member delegation of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), led by its national president Abhay Singh Chautala, met Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatraya on Wednesday morning and submitted a memorandum.
