Sanaur MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra has alleged that senior Irrigation Department officers misled the Punjab government on crucial flood-prevention work. He said officials ignored repeated appeals on releasing water into rivers and granting permission to de-silt riverbeds.
The AAP legislator accused Punjab Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar of not allowing soil to be lifted from the Tangri and Ghaggar rivers to strengthen embankments. “Nearly 11 villages in my constituency are already facing flooding. If the Tangri overflows, the damage may worsen,” he warned.
Pathanmajra urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to shift such officers. “Villagers blame AAP MLAs for failing to prevent floods. It is difficult to explain that despite repeated requests, no one listens,” he said.
A senior official defended Kumar, stating he has not handled the mining charge since 2023, making it unfair to blame him for permissions.
Meanwhile, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav reviewed water flow in the Ghaggar and Tangri. She said water levels are receding in Rajpura and Ghanaur, but all departments remain on alert to tackle any emergency.
