Deputy Speaker Rouri Backs Seechewal Model for Wastewater Management in Garhshankar
Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri on Sunday announced the adoption of the ‘Seechewal model’ for wastewater management across all 178 villages in his Garhshankar constituency. The decision comes as a show of support for environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, whose model has recently been at the centre of political debate.
Rouri made the announcement after paying obeisance at Nirmal Kutiya Seechewal, the spiritual and environmental hub founded by Seechewal, located on the banks of the Kali Bein river. He also toured the site’s wastewater treatment system and plant nurseries.
Becoming the first political leader in the state to visit Seechewal in person following Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa’s controversial remarks, Rouri pledged to bring village panchayats from Garhshankar to Seechewal and Sultanpur Lodhi to study the model firsthand.
Bajwa had earlier stirred controversy by calling the Seechewal model a "failure" and referring to Seechewal as a "contractor." In response, Seechewal had strongly defended his work, highlighting the success of his model in multiple statements to the media. On Saturday, the Nirmal Sant Mandal, a body of religious leaders, publicly condemned Bajwa’s comments and announced a boycott of the Congress party, demanding an apology.
Speaking at Seechewal, Rouri said, “This model has even been recommended for cleaning the Ganga. If it can work for a national river, its success here is unquestionable.” He condemned Bajwa’s remarks in the Punjab Assembly and expressed confidence in the model’s potential to tackle Punjab’s water crisis and pollution issues.
Rouri emphasized that under the Seechewal model, treated wastewater is reused for irrigation, which significantly helps conserve groundwater resources. He also contrasted Seechewal’s grassroots efforts with the failures of past Congress governments, accusing them of contributing to pollution in rivers like the Budha Dariya.
“While the Congress polluted Punjab’s rivers, Seechewal has taken on the responsibility to clean them and make the state pollution-free,” Rouri stated. He also criticised the Congress for disrespecting saints and reformers dedicated to public welfare.
During the visit, Seechewal honoured Rouri with a siropa (robe of honour) and presented him with a sapling. He also demonstrated the workings of the wastewater treatment system, proudly stating that the setup has been operating effectively since 1999, requiring cleaning only twice in 26 years. As part of the demonstration, he measured the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level of the treated water, underlining the efficiency of the model.
The endorsement by Rouri marks a significant boost for the Seechewal model, signaling potential expansion across rural Punjab as a sustainable solution to water management challenges.
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