Questions Scientific Validity of Seechewal’s Method; Sparks Heated Debate in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh, March 26 – Punjab Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Wednesday strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government for promoting environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal’s pond rejuvenation model, calling it a "failed model" and urging the state to seek professional technical guidance instead.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Bajwa expressed doubts over the scientific credibility of Seechewal’s techniques being employed in the cleaning and restoration of village ponds. He advised the state government to engage reputed engineering institutes such as Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in Chandigarh or Thapar Institute in Patiala for expert technical consultation.
“Seechewal saab is not an engineer. Even during our time, some work was done using his model and a report was submitted stating it was a completely failed model,” Bajwa remarked. “He insists that only his people do the work, but it’s a failed model.”
Balbir Singh Seechewal is widely recognized for his environmental activism, particularly his work on restoring the 160-kilometre-long Kali Bein rivulet in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala.
Pond Model Sparks Row in Punjab Assembly
The issue came up during the ongoing budget session in the Punjab Assembly during the Question Hour. Punjab Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond informed the House that five ponds in the Bathinda Rural constituency had already been developed using a combined Seechewal-Thapar model. Work on an additional 16 ponds is underway using the same methodology.
Following the minister’s statement, Bajwa raised objections to the use of Seechewal’s model, prompting a sharp response from AAP legislators. The Speaker eventually expunged some of Bajwa’s remarks from the official records.
Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan intervened, inviting Bajwa to visit Sultanpur Lodhi to witness Seechewal’s work firsthand.
Ministers Defend Seechewal’s Contributions
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh also defended Seechewal’s contributions, drawing parallels between science and the work of self-taught individuals.
“People do PhDs on Shakespeare who didn’t attend school. Science belongs to no one. I have seen the Seechewal model—it has a scientific foundation,” said Dr Singh.
The exchange turned more heated when Bajwa sarcastically responded by recalling that the Chief Minister reportedly fell ill after drinking water at one of the sites rejuvenated under the model and had to be taken to Apollo Hospital.
“You should be the one apologising. You should have told the CM not to drink that water,” Bajwa shot back.
The confrontation reflects the rising political tension over environmental management strategies in rural Punjab, with the opposition questioning the legitimacy of activist-driven solutions and demanding expert intervention.
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