Ferozepur (Punjab), Dec. 8 : The Punjabi Durbar programme of Radio Pakistan has run out of water, judging by its latest broadcasts.

It is a fact that Indian part of Punjab had little water, as most of the canal networks were in Pakistani Punjab. The Punjabi Durbar programme unfortunately has not taken the trouble to update its facts. In its latest programme, the Radio wants its listeners to believe that the situation is similar to what was prevailing five decades ago.

People living in the border areas of Punjab, who listen to the Punjabi Durbar, want the Pakistani broadcasters to update themselves about the situation in Indian Punjab. The Government of Punjab, particularly the Akali Government, has given special attention to the availability of water in the canals serving the area.

In fact, the Shiromani Akali Dal led government made available free electricity for the farmers to pump more water into the canals whenever required. That has contributed to the prosperity of the State.

The farmers in Indian Punjab are today raising more than one crop. Also, the farmers have started cultivating additional crops like fruits and vegetables. Flowers grown in Punjab are sold in Europe and other parts of the world.

And the Government led by the Akali Dal is extending all help to the farmers to diversify the agriculture in the State. In this effort, the Central Government headed by Manmohan Singh is extending all help. The people who live in the border hope that the Pakistani government extends similar facilities to their farmers.

Ill-informed, Radio Pakistan wants its listeners to believe that the Government of India has diverted Punjab''s share of river waters to neighbouring States due to which Punjab farmers are faced with a severe water crisis.

Te latest `revelations' of the Radio Pakistan carry no credibility in Punjab, which is an agriculture-rich State served by five rivers. Farmers here wish to know if Pakistan actually has the latest information about today's Punjab.

A visit to the southwest Punjab, which was once a barren area, will convince anyone that the area is steadily prospering due to government''s efforts.

Himmat Singh, a farmer, said: "Punjab farmers are prospering. And the real development has happened in southwest Punjab, which had severe water crisis when the country was partitioned. Now, there are rivulets that help us in irrigating our farms. There is no water scarcity."

Rajinder Singh, another farmer, said: "We have good crops. Farmers are prospering here"

The Punjabi Durbar programme, it is believed, wants to mislead their own farmers by telling them that their Indian counterparts are living in a difficult situation.

No wonder the Punjabi Durbar programme is living in a `Durbar' or feudal atmosphere. ! (ANI)