Raised alarm over worsening situation of underground water level in Punjab, the Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) president and joint candidate of Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) from Bathinda Lok Sabha seat Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Friday warned that state is heading for a life threatening water crisis “thanks to poor political leadership”.

Khaira, addressing series of rallies in several villages of Khadoor Sahib in support of its Lok Sabha candidate from the seat Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, said that it was a matter of grave concern that 18 out of total blocks of Punjab have been declared dark zones which means, the level of underground water has gone below the desired limit or underground water has become unfit for human consumption.

He added that the Under Ground Water Board has notified that no tube well connections could be installed now. All 18 blocks belong to Malwa and Doaba region which also reported highest number of suicides in last decade, he said.

Excessive use of underground water for irrigation and massive use of pesticides in Punjab were basic reasons but the political parties like Congress and SAD, who ruled the state turn by turn were solely responsible for allowing the situation to deteriorate. “Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and present incumbent Capt Amarinder Singh have failed to save waters of Punjab both at political and administrative level,” he said.

Khaira said that Congress government at Centre was instrumental in giving water to Rajasthan and Haryana from Punjab's share in an arbitrary manner and SAD-BJP government which was in power for continuously 10 years had failed to protect the Punjab's interest even though SAD and BJP were partner in BJP-run NDA government and BJP had its governments in Haryana and Rajasthan as well.

“Capt Amarinder has taken no steps to implement a resolution passed by Punjab assembly on November 16, 2016, to demands charges for river waters flowing to the non-riparian states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi,” he added.

He said that on administrative side, the Congress and SAD governments had failed to implement crop diversification and water saving irrigation techniques promised in the budget from time to time.

Khaira called upon the people of Punjab to defeat the traditional parties — Congress and SAD-BJP alliance — in Lok Sabha elections to register their strong protest against failed political leadership. “Punjab needs a strong leadership which can fight for state's right without compromising for vested interests,” he said.