Hard to believe Punjab is water deficient: Uma Bharti

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“During high level meetings when I tell other states that Punjab is facing water crisis, they refuse to believe me. The state known for its five rivers is facing (a water) crisis! I know it is in danger and if farmers and government here do not act now, it will be another Rajasthan,” said Bharti adding that 110 of 137 blocks in Punjab have been declared dark zones with water table sinking down.

“I must laud the efforts of states like MP and Gujarat. Even Tamil Nadu through its rainwater harvesting revolution in every home has proved that nothing is impossible. I was invited to Israel to see their model of fruit and vegetable production using less water but I preferred Lapuriya- a village in Rajasthan over Israel. That village has changed itself with water saving techniques and so can Punjab if it wants to,” said Bharti adding, “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has urged the ministry to adopt two rivers of Punjab and the proposal is under consideration.”

“Problem is, we do not believe in anything till there is a videshi thappa (foreign stamp) on it. If Israel says it is good, only then we say it is good,” she said.

“In Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch it was impossible to grow a tree but now the villagers are flourishing. They conserved rainwater and so did Tamil Nadu. We have started Jal Kranti Abhiyaan (water revolution) under PM Krishi Yojana in which more than government, onus is on the people to come forward and change their lives. It has to start from the village level and we will soon involve it under the MNREGA into this,” she said.

She added that she will visit Ralegaon Siddhi village where Anna Hazare’s model for saving water would be studied and replicated across the country. “The NDA led central government is committed towards cleaning Ganga”, she said. “Ganga is our guiding force. Greater participation should come from saints and priests to clean Ganga.”