Expressing concern over the water shortages in Punjab’s villages following disconnection of power supply to waterworks, Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday demanded stringent action against the panchayat members and nagar council presidents for defaulting on electricity bill payments.
In a statement issued here, Capt Amarinder said the people of the 650-odd villages where waterworks power had been disconnected could not be made to suffer for the criminal negligence of the panchayat and nagar council leaders. He demanded immediate restoration of power supply to the waterworks, saying the people had the right to safe drinking water under the Constitutional Right to life, which they could not be deprived of.
Promising stern action against the panchayat and nagar council leaders once the Congress assumes the reins of power in the State, he said the situation arising out of non-payment of bills was yet another example of the Badal government’s mis-governance of the state. While the PSPCl was well within its rights to take the necessary steps to secure payment against outstanding bills it could not be allowed to unduly harass innocent villagers, he added.
The Congress leader pointed out that with ground water in many of the affected areas, such as Mansa and Muktsar, unfit for human consumption, things could get out of hand if the water supply to the people is not immediately restored. “Access to safe drinking water was enshrined in the Right to life under the Indian Constitution and was thus an inviolable right”, he said, adding that the people could not be divested of this essential commodity under any circumstances.
Capt Amarinder warned of the situation coming to a boil if the people suffering as a result of the PSPCl crackdown continue to remain deprived of water for long. Coming on the heels of the SYl controversy, this development could lead to major escalation of water tensions in Punjab, he warned.