OPPOSITION PLAYED POLITICAL CARD AND MISLED HOUSE EVEN DURING FLOOD CRISIS: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL

PRATAP SINGH BAJWA’S CLAIM OF RELEASING 7 LAKH CUSECS FROM RANJIT SAGAR DAM OUTRIGHTLY REJECTED

“WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT RELEASED ONLY AROUND 2.15 LAKH CUSECS”

SAYS, CLEANING OF DRAINS BY MANN GOVT UNPRECEDENTED IN LAST 70 YEARS

OUR GOVT ENSURED CANAL WATER UP TO THE TAIL-END FIELDS: WATER RESOURCES MINISTER

Chandigarh, September 29:Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday strongly criticised the opposition for indulging in politics during floods and misleading the august House.

Speaking on the second day of discussion on the resolution “Rehabilitation of Punjab” during the special session of the Assembly, Sh. Goyal said leaders of the opposition, who remained in power for decades, are now resorting to baseless allegations merely to score political points.

Referring to Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa’s claim that seven lakh cusecs of water was released from Ranjit Sagar Dam, the Water Resources Minister clarified that the actual figure was only around 2.15 lakh cusecs. He said Bajwa committed an offence by misleading the House with false claims and must apologise as well as resign from the membership.

Sh. Goyal said the Congress never cared for the interests of Punjab’s people and always remained busy playing political games. He pointed out that the Leader of Opposition visited Madhopur Headworks almost a month after its breach, yet did not speak a single word about the department employee who sacrificed his life while opening the gate or the 26 officials who remained trapped at the site and had to be airlifted.

He further said Opposition leader has been spreading lies about non-cleaning of Sakki Nallah in Gurdaspur, while in reality, 20 panchayats of the area honoured me during Baba Gujjar Mela for ensuring its cleaning.

The Minister asserted that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab has witnessed a scale of drain-cleaning work never undertaken in the last 70 years. He added that due to the government’s tireless efforts, canal water has now reached the remotest tail-end villages. Prior to 2022, only 21 percent of the state’s cultivable land was irrigated with canal water, whereas the Mann government has increased it to 64 percent and set a target to achieve 76 percent by March 31, 2026. Farmers, he said, have received canal water after 38 to 40 years, bringing them immense relief.

The Cabinet Minister noted that this initiative has not only helped conserve underground water but also ensured optimum use of water stored in dams. He blamed the negligence of previous governments for Haryana’s repeated demands for excess water every year.

Coming down heavily on BJP leaders, Sh. Goyal said the party insulted the sanctity of Punjab Vidhan Sabha by holding a Mock Session, an act that can never be tolerated.

=================================

Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously passes Punjab Town Improvement Act

* Dr. Ravjot Singh presents the bill

* Move aimed at to expedite the development works

Chandigarh, September 29:To streamline the development works of Cities, Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday passed The Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922.

Presenting the bill, the Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the motive of this bill to enable the urban local bodies of the State to utilize funds available with the Improvement Trusts.

The Minister said that the Bill aimed at upgrading municipal infrastructure and improving management of civic services for residents of municipal towns in the State through optimal utilization of resourced of Improvement Trusts.

===========================================

Punjab Vidhan Sabha passes six important bills

Chandigarh, September 29:The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday passed six significant bills aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency in governance and public services across the state.

The legislative reforms seek to strengthen regulatory mechanisms, simplify processes and ensure greater ease of doing business while safeguarding the rights and welfare of citizens. The bills passed including The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduced by the Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian; The Punjab Right to Business (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduced by Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond; The Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduced by Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema; The Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian; The Punjab Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduced by Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema; and The Punjab Town Improvement (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduced by Local Government Minister Dr Ravjot Singh.

These legislative measures are expected to modernise existing frameworks, streamline administrative procedures and ensure fair practices benefiting farmers, entrepreneurs, taxpayers, homebuyers, cooperative members and urban residents alike.

The Punjab Government reaffirmed its commitment to introducing reforms that foster inclusive growth, transparency and accountability.

=======================================

CONGRESS, SAD-BJP'S COLOSSAL CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE BEHIND DELUGE IN PUNJAB: AMAN ARORA

* 2017 declaration of Beas river as conservation reserve a prime example of Congress Govt's blind politicking, says Arora

* AAP led Punjab Govt takes courageous step to notify over 850 water bodies to prevent future tragedies under Northern Canal & Drainage Act, 1878, says Aman Arora

* Highlights decreased water retaining capacity of Bhakra Dam reservoir and Harike Lake

• AAP President appeals to 117 MLAs to put aside political differences & collectively demand change in SDRF norms & comprehensive relief package from Centre to address monumental losses

Chandigarh, September 29:Exposing the decades of negligence and political deceit that led to the devastating floods across the state, Cabinet Minister and President of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab, Mr. Aman Arora, today held the previous Congress and SAD-BJP governments, along with the BJP-led central government, directly responsible for the disaster and Punjab’s plight, cataloguing a series of catastrophic policy failures and criminal acts of betrayal against the state's interests.

While dismantling the opposition's rhetoric during the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr. Aman Arora pointed to the Congress government's 2017 decision to declare a 260-km stretch of the Beas River a "Ramsar Site" as a prime example of a hollow political wisdom. He termed it a blind, politically motivated decision taken without any application of mind, which made de-silting of the river literally impossible directly resulting to the flooding in four to five districts. He challenged senior Congress leaders who were part of then cabinet to explain the decision that has proven so destructive to the people they served.

Furthermore, Mr. Aman Arora detailed the ticking time bomb of the Bhakra Dam, where severe siltation has reduced the dead & live storage capacity of the Gobind Sagar reservoir by a staggering 25%. This negligence, accumulated over generations of rule by the Congress and Akali-BJP alliances, devastating downstream areas in Punjab.

Citing 2023 survey report, Mr. Aman Arora highlighted that Harike Lake, a vital wetland in Punjab, has reportedly lost 56% of its water retaining capacity, he exposed the blatant injustice in the management of Harike Lake, where the Rajasthan government, which is major beneficiary of the water from Harike Barrage, has refused to share the cost of de-silting, despite several letters written to the neighbouring state.

Underscoring the issue of rivers water management and the riparian principle, Mr. Aman Arora stated, “the central government controls water storage in dams and compels the state to release water to non-riparian neighbouring states. This is the most one-sided and unjust law I have ever seen. The absurdity of the situation where the riparian State faces submergence due to floods caused by the water release. This goes against the riparian principle and the special session of the Assembly convened to discuss this critical issues but non-serious opposition is busy to secure brownie points."

In a stunning historical revelation, Mr. Aman Arora highlighted that despite the Northern Canal and Drainage Act of 1878, which empowers the government to notify rivers, choes and other water bodies to prevent encroachment, not a single river, drain or choe was notified in Punjab in over 170 years including Congress, Akali and BJP regimes. This criminal abdication of duty, he asserted, allowed encroachments on riverbeds, which are now the one of the primary causes of the widespread destruction of houses, crops and property during the recent floods. In contrast, he praised the current AAP led Punjab government for its courageous move to notify over 850 water bodies to prevent future tragedies under the Act.

Mr. Arora presented a damning financial breakdown of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), revealing that the Central Government provided Rs 6190 crore to Punjab over 25 years. Of this, Rs 4608 crore was allocated during the previous Congress and Akali Dal-BJP governments, while Rs 1582 crore came during the current regime. The Punjab Government contributed Rs 2042 crore, and a total of Rs 4305 crore has been spent. However, the calculating notional interest of Rs 7623 crore paid by the state government, the Centre arrived at a figure of Rs 12,600 crore.

Flagging the similar situation during congress regime, he said that when congress government took over in 2017, the CAG report dated 31-3-2017 showed Rs 4740.42 crore in the SDRF account, yet the RBI declared the Punjab Government bankrupt just two days prior due to non-payment of Rs 760 crore and 14 days overdraft. He reminded the House that it was the previous Congress government that was declared financially bankrupt by the RBI, reducing a "Rangla Punjab" to a "Kangla Punjab."

Condemning the opposition's political theatrics over a humanitarian crisis, Mr Aman Arora stated that while people are suffering, they are more focused on mudslinging. He emphasised that the real battle lies with the Central government, which needs to revise the relief norms that are woefully inadequate.

Mr. Aman Arora made an emotional appeal, recounting the devastation he witnessed in villages near Harike Pattan, where people lost everything overnight. He urged all 117 MLAs to put aside political differences and collectively demand a revision in SDRF norms and a comprehensive relief package from the Centre Government that addresses the monumental losses faced by the people of Punjab

-------------------------------------------------------------

Cheema Slams Bajwa for Securing Rs 1.18 Crore of State Money to Save Just ₹25 Lakh Worth of Personal Property

Cheema Exposes Bajwa's Land Deal, Accuses LoP of Self-Serving Motives

Says, Bajwa Purchases Land within Beas Dhussi Bandh with Ulterior Motive of Sand Mining

Chandigarh, September 29-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, on the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, accusing him of purchasing land on the banks of the Beas River, inside the Dhussi Bandh, with the ulterior motive of sand mining and then pressuring the state government to spend public funds on stone studs to protect that land.

The Finance Minister said that while LoP Bajwa demands the formation of a House Committee or the resignation of Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, his own actions reveal a disturbing pattern of self-interest. Finance Minister Cheema revealed specific details of a land transaction on July 15, 2025, where Bajwa purchased 16.10 marlas of land in Village Phullran, Hadbast No. 725, Tehsil and District Gurdaspur, at his wife Charanjit Bajwa’s name, from Rajdeep Kaur, wife of Nirmal Singh, for Rs 5.45 lakh with Intkal No. 2248 and Wasika No. 561.

Questioning the timing of the purchase, Finance Minister Cheema explicitly stated that this land lies inside the Dhussi Bandh area of the Beas River. He said that Partap Singh Bajwa purchased the land from a poor farmer just a month and a half earlier, knowing that sand would accumulate there during the monsoon, which he could then mine.

The Finance Minister also pointed to a similar purchase of 10 acres of land by Bajwa inside the Dhussi Bandh along the Beas River in Village Paswal. He said that the state government had spent Rs 1.18 crore on stone studs to protect this land during the Congress party's tenure in 2017 and 2019.

The Finance Minister said that Partap Singh Bajwa is now attempting to exert pressure on Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal to secure his sanction for the expenditure of crores of rupees, this time for the construction of new stone studs to protect the recently acquired land in Phullran. He lamented that instead of helping the government address the damage caused to the public by the recent floods, the Leader of the Opposition is focused on exerting pressure for his personal gains.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that it is clear that Partap Singh Bajwa purchased the lands within the Dhussi area solely for mining purposes, and it is deplorable that he has leveraged crores of state funds to protect his private property.

=========================================

TIME TO RISE ABOVE PARTY LINES: DR BALBIR SINGH APPEALS FOR COLLECTIVE VOICE TO SECURE PUNJAB’S SHARE FROM CENTRE

— Over 4,740 Health Camps Treat 25,000+ Patients; No Major Disease Outbreaks Reported: Dr Balbir Singh

CHANDIGARH, September 29:Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday informed the Vidhan Sabha that a proactive and pre-emptive health strategy successfully averted any major disease outbreaks in the state's flood-affected areas, while calling for all parties to unite and secure Punjab's rightful assistance from the Central Government.

Detailing the government's response, Dr Balbir Singh stated that following the 2023 floods, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had constituted a high-level committee to ensure advance preparations. This year, this preparedness was operationalised through 818 dedicated teams—comprising 458 Rapid Response Teams and 360 Mobile Medical Teams—which were activated from the very first day of the floods.

The Minister, who personally visited all seven flood-affected districts over the past month, shared that a robust medical shield was established across the villages. So far, 4,740 health camps have been organised, providing treatment and medicines to approximately 2.5 lakh people, he said, while adding that over 25,000 patients suffering from flood-related ailments like skin infections, fever, and diarrhoea were successfully treated.

"In the face of this calamity, our health teams, including ASHA workers, have worked tirelessly. I am proud to report that even in these challenging circumstances, many safe deliveries were conducted in the flood-affected areas," Dr Balbir Singh said. He further added that comprehensive spray and fumigation drives have been completed across all flood-affected zones to break the disease transmission cycle.

Rising above party lines, the Health Minister made a fervent appeal to all members of the house. "This is not the time for politics. This is the time to stand with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and raise a collective voice to get our right from the Central Government to save Punjab and Punjabis," he asserted, emphasising the need for solidarity to ensure the state receives the necessary support for recovery and rebuilding.

The Minister credited the success in managing the health crisis to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's anticipatory approach, which emphasised prevention and swift action.

=============================================

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH DELOITTE TO SCALE UP CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES ACROSS STATE

— SEVERAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER THIS PROGRAM TO SENSITISE FARMERS: AGRICULTURE MINISTER GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN

— SUCCESSFUL PILOT PROJECT IN PATIALA, WHICH SAW OVER 80% REDUCTION IN FARM FIRES, PAVES WAY FOR STATEWIDE EXPANSION: HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH

CHANDIGARH, September 29:In a significant move to combat air pollution and support farmers, Punjab Government on Monday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deloitte to provide technical assistance for scaling up successful crop residue management initiatives across the state.

The MoU was signed between Executive Director Deloitte Vivek Mittal, and Commissioner Agriculture Ms Babita in the presence of Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh.

This partnership comes on the back of a highly successful pilot project implemented by Deloitte last year in 17 villages of the Patiala district, which witnessed a remarkable reduction of over 80% in farm fire incidents.

Divulging details about the program, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that several Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities through village-level meetings and door-to-door awareness campaigns will be conducted and a digital awareness van with motivational videos and promoting the mascot “Unnat Singh,” a progressive farmer, will visit different villages to sensitise farmers. Apart from merchandise, including T-shirts, calendars, cups and tote bags, with innovative slogans will be distributed, he said.

The Agriculture Minister said that a user-friendly 'Krishi Yantra Saathi' (KYS) mobile application for easy farm equipment booking and scheduling is also being launched under this program.

Appreciating the interventions by Deloitte, Dr Balbir Singh highlighted the critical link between farm fires and public health. "The smoke from stubble burning severely impacts the air quality, leading to a rise in respiratory and other health problems among our citizens. The proven success in Patiala demonstrates a viable model to protect both the environment and the health of our people," he said.

The Health Minister emphasised the government's commitment to the initiative, stating, "Our partnership with Deloitte marks a significant step forward in our commitment to a cleaner and healthier Punjab. By scaling these effective strategies statewide, we are determined to replicate the success of Patiala and provide a sustainable solution for crop residue management that benefits our farmers and safeguards public health.”

On the occasion, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Secretary Agriculture Basant Garg and officials from Deloitte including Director Prateek Kanwal, Associate Director Shakya Sengupta, and Consultant Prakash Jha were also present.

==============================================

Punjab Assembly Passes Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Punjab Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Chandigarh, September 29-The Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Punjab Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on Monday, following their introduction by Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema.

Speaking on the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the legislation proposes to amend several sections of the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, including sections 2, 12, 13, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 107, 112, and Schedule III, while also inserting new sections 122A and 148A. These amendments are aimed at ensuring uniformity with the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, as recently amended by the Finance Act, 2025.

The Finance Minister also addressed concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa regarding the GST system, referencing an article by former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. Cheema recalled that the proposal for GST was originally brought forward by Mr. Chidambaram himself in 2006, but was not implemented by the UPA government due to opposition. He said that the BJP-led NDA government later advanced the concept on the principle of ‘One-Nation One-Tax,’ which the then Punjab Finance Minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, had agreed to in Delhi. At that time, the Union government had promised the compensation cess would continue until states’ economies stabilised, but this cess was discontinued after the year 2022.

Highlighting the adverse impact on Punjab, Finance Minister Cheema said that the state’s pre-GST revenue neutral rate was 18.3 percent, significantly higher than the country's average rate of 14 percent. Following GST implementation, Punjab incurred a loss of 1 lakh 11 thousand crores over eight years, while only receiving 61,000 crores from compensation tax. The Minister pointed out that many other states are also grappling with revenue losses due to GST, but are not being heard by the Central government due to the BJP’s majority.

The Finance Minister further asserted that the Congress party should have considered the potential for state losses when they first proposed GST, stating that productive states like Punjab are bearing the brunt because GST is a consumer-based tax. Finance Minister Cheema shared his repeated appeals to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman not to destabilise the economies of the states. He warned that if the federal structure is compromised, states would be reduced to the status of municipal committees, subservient to the Centre.

The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema concluded by expressing concern that the BJP is systematically undermining the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, citing policies like ‘One Nation One Tax’ and ‘One Nation One Election’ as destructive to the federal structure. He reiterated that the Aam Aadmi Party opposes all such policies, but acknowledged that the GST proposal originated with the Congress party.