Chandigarh: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), through its Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal, has expressed deep concern and strong opposition to the Punjab Government’s reported move to sell state-owned properties in order to generate funds for the Punjab Exchequer.
Chahal warned that such short-sighted measures could cause irreversible damage to Punjab’s cultural identity, social heritage, and collective assets that belong to the people of the state, not to the government of the day. He emphasised that no government has the moral or constitutional right to sell ancestral heritage, historic lands, or public institutions that have been built with generations of sacrifices.
“Selling government-owned lands and buildings, especially those that hold cultural, historic, and social significance, is not only an economic blunder but also a betrayal of the trust of the people of Punjab,” said Chahal. “Heritage is not for sale. It is the soul of Punjab, and Punjabis will strongly resist any attempt to trade it off for temporary financial relief across the world.”
Chahal further stated that instead of disposing of assets, the government should focus on sustainable economic reforms, eliminating corruption, recovering misused funds, and promoting industrial and agricultural growth to strengthen the state’s economy. He also highlighted that the government must explore innovative avenues such as public-private partnerships, investment in renewable energy, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost revenue rather than resorting to selling state assets.
NAPA has called upon the Punjab Government to immediately clarify its policy and assure Punjabis at home and abroad that no heritage properties, historical buildings, or public assets vital to the state’s identity will be sold under any circumstances. Chahal warned that if such attempts continue, NAPA will mobilise global Punjabi diaspora communities to raise their voice collectively against this move. “Governments come and go, but Punjab’s land, history, and heritage are eternal. They are not commodities to be auctioned. The people of Punjab will not forgive any government that dares to tamper with this legacy,” Chahal asserted.