Malwa, Feb 25: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has inaugurated the revamped Ferozepur Feeder Canal, a project aimed at resolving long-standing water shortages in the Malwa belt. The Chief Minister asserted that the ₹180 crore investment in relining the 1952-era canal is a decisive step toward securing the state’s agricultural future and improving groundwater recharge.
Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister declared that the current government is dedicated to the welfare of farmers, unlike previous rulers who he said were disconnected from ground realities. He stated that 18,349 water courses totaling 6,900 km have been revived to ensure water reaches the very ends of the irrigation network.
CM Mann also took the opportunity to reiterate Punjab’s firm stance on interstate water sharing. “The interests of the state and its people are supreme, and no compromise can be made in this regard,” he maintained. He suggested that issues like the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) could only be addressed through a “Yamuna Satluj Link” to ensure the judicious use of Yamuna water, rather than depleting Punjab’s own resources.
Beyond irrigation, the Chief Minister highlighted broader governance achievements, including the provision of 63,000 government jobs and the success of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics. He also noted that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna now provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family. On the political front, he took a swipe at the Akali Dal, stating that a party unable to find 11 members for a committee cannot expect to win over the state’s 117 seats.
