Jago Punjab, a group of former bureaucrats, ex-servicemen, police officers, doctors and social activists, also submitted a formal charge sheet accusing the Union government of violating the spirit of federalism, state autonomy and equitable development.Boparai, leader of this group, highlighted Punjab’s exclusive riparian rights over the Satluj, Beas and Ravi rivers, as enshrined in Article 246 (Part XI), entry 17 of List II of the constitution.They pointed out that Rajasthan, a non-riparian state was allocated 8 MAF of Ravi-Beas waters under a 1955 agreement signed under extreme pressure without proper ratification by the Punjab Assembly, violating Article 299. Rajasthan continues to draw excess water without paying Punjab its due costs, against the conditions laid down.The group also raised concerns over Punjab’s rapid desertification, groundwater depletion and the unfair secrecy maintained over the 1955 water allocation.They vowed to continue their democratic struggle to secure Punjab’s rightful share and expose the distortion of India’s federal framework.
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