Punjab voiced several significant concerns at the 31st Northern Regional Council meeting held in Amritsar on 26th September. Under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the gathering included chief ministers and senior officials from northern states.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of Punjab highlighted the pressing issue of fake travel agents, urging mandatory registration for them. He pressed for the stricter enforcement of the Indian Immigration Act and a centralised eye on such illicit agents.
The meeting saw Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, accusing Punjab of clouding the waters on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal project. Khattar underlined the importance of the canal and its role in the equitable distribution of waters between the two states, keeping aside the separate matter of water availability.
Mann shed light on the financial situation of Panjab University. He emphasised its historic significance and criticised the Centre’s delay in releasing enhanced grants. He reinforced Punjab’s unwavering support for the institution, both historically and in future endeavours.
Punjab’s Chief Minister underscored the unfairness of the paid military clause for Punjab. As a border state, Punjab shoulders a significant security burden. Mann felt it unjust that Punjab pays hefty fees for central paramilitary forces when the state has sacrificed so much for the nation’s security.
Mann advocated for a National Security Guards (NSG) regional centre in Pathankot due to the border state’s vulnerability to terror attacks. He also sought the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Drones in Punjab, pointing to the rising challenges drones present, from espionage to smuggling.
Lastly, Mann voiced concerns about internal weapon smuggling, citing a higher influx from states like Madhya Pradesh than from across borders, stressing the necessity of stringent measures.
The meeting saw a confluence of leaders, including Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha, and Delhi Chief Minister Honoured LG VK Saxena.
