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4d ago

Punjab Unveils Statewide Water Pledge Campaign and Moves Scripture Protection Bill

Punjab’s new drive combines a scripture protection bill in the Vidhan Sabha with a planned clean-up of the Buddha Dariya to tackle its severe groundwater crisis.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann with Rajya Sabha MP and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala on Wednesday. (HT)

Overview

  • Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Kali Bein rivulet’s restoration, CM Bhagwant Mann urged residents to pledge against groundwater depletion and environmental pollution.
  • Since March 2022, the Mann government has revived 15,947 water channels and boosted canal irrigation utilisation from 21% to 63%.
  • The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Vidhan Sabha to impose stricter penalties on sacrilegious acts.
  • Officials say the next phase of the campaign will focus on restoring the Buddha Dariya (formerly Buddha Nullah) to its pristine condition.
  • The initiative builds on environmentalist Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal’s legacy, whose 2000 Kar Sewa of the Kali Bein catalysed ongoing river-cleaning projects.