assembly-backs-mann-govt-on-water-row-with-haryana

The ongoing water-sharing conflict between Punjab and Haryana escalated on Monday as the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government moved a resolution in the Punjab Assembly declaring that not to spare a single drop of water from the state’s share for the neighbouring state, Haryana.

 

The resolution, moved during a special session by Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana of attempting to usurp Punjab’s water through the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

 

"By calling a meeting of the BBMB in an unconstitutional and illegal manner, an attempt is being made to forcefully provide Punjab's rightful water to Haryana. Haryana has used all its share of water till March 31. Now BJP wants to give the water of Punjab to Haryana," according to the resolution.

 

The resolution said during the last three years, the Mann government has tried to bring canal water to every farm in Punjab.

 

"A network of canals and water courses has been built on a very large scale. Until 2021, only 22 per cent of Punjab's fields received canal water. But today, around 60 per cent of the fields in Punjab are getting canal water.

 

"This is why every single drop of Punjab's water has become very precious for Punjab. Punjab no longer has any spare water to give to any other state, “said the resolution.

 

The Punjab government maintained that while it had responded compassionately to Haryana’s April 6 request for water by releasing 4,000 cusecs for drinking purposes, it could not meet Haryana’s current demand for 8,500 cusecs. "Our Gurus have taught us that giving water to any thirsty person is a great virtue," said the resolution.

 

Goyal, citing the resolution, said the population of Haryana is 3 crore and it needs only 1,700 cusecs of water to meet all drinking and other human needs.

"Now, Haryana is saying that they need 8,500 cusecs of water all of a sudden. Punjab does not have extra water to meet its demand. So, the BJP forcibly called a meeting of the BBMB in an unconstitutional and illegal manner and passed a resolution that Punjab will have to give its water to Haryana from its own share," he said.

 

"This is not acceptable to us," the resolution said.

 

It highlighted that the government of Punjab will not give even a single drop of water from its share to Haryana.

 

The resolution states that 4,000 cusecs of water that is being given to Haryana for drinking purposes will be continued as a matter of humanity, but not even a drop more will be given.

 

This House strongly condemns the "illegal and unconstitutional" convening of the BBMB meeting by the BJP, said the resolution. The House also considers the Dam Safety Act 2021 to be an attack on the rights of Punjab, it said.

 

Meanwhile, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, objecting to the Punjab government’s deployment of additional security forces at the Bhakhra Dam amid the ongoing water-sharing dispute with Haryana. The matter, which marks a new legal turn in the inter-state conflict, was listed for hearing today but has been adjourned. The case will now be taken up again on Tuesday.

 

 

Six resolutions passed in the Assembly:

 

No additional water to Haryana:
Punjab will not release even a single drop of water from its legally allocated share to Haryana. The ongoing supply of 4,000 cusecs, provided on humanitarian grounds, will continue—but not beyond that.

Centre's influence over BBMB challenged:
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is being unduly influenced by the Central Government. Punjab’s concerns and interests are being ignored in board meetings. The state demands a reconstitution of the board to ensure fair representation.

Demand for fresh water agreement:
The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers flow entirely through Punjab. Since the 1981 agreement was based on higher water volumes, which have now significantly reduced, Punjab is calling for a revised agreement reflecting current water availability.

Violation of BBMB meeting norms:
Punjab has alleged that BBMB meetings are being convened in violation of established rules—often at irregular hours and without proper authorisation. The Assembly insists all meetings adhere strictly to legal protocols.

BBMB must stay within jurisdiction:
The BBMB has no authority to alter state-wise water allocations under the 1981 agreement. Despite this, it is allegedly trying to change distribution terms. Punjab has warned the board against overstepping its mandate.

Repeal of BBMB (Amendment) Act 2021 demanded:
Punjab has not accepted the BBMB (Amendment) Act, 2021 so the Centre must repeal it. The Assembly has urged for its immediate withdrawal, terming it an encroachment on the state's water rights.

 

What leaders from different parties said

 

We are paying the price for past govts’ mistakes: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the state is now paying the price for the mistakes of previous governments. Drawing a stark analogy, he said, “We are using the same type of motors to extract water that are typically used for oil extraction in Saudi Arabia. Now, even hot water is emerging from underground.” CM Mann also called for the dissolution of the BBMB, describing it as a "white elephant" and an unfair burden on Punjab. He pointed out that while BBMB oversees the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, along with the Bhakra Dam—resources shared with Haryana and Rajasthan—neither of these states has any physical land connected to the dam system within Punjab.

 

LoP Bajwa backs government's Resolution

Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa extended his support to the resolution introduced by the state government, emphasising the need for unity on the pressing water-sharing dispute. "We all stand united for the rights of Punjab. This voice should go from the Punjab Legislative Assembly to the entire country that we stand up for our rights. Yes. We support your point and the Central Government is robbing the rights of Punjab," he said.

 

Harjot Bains vows not to share water with Haryana

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains criticised the lack of development in the state's irrigation infrastructure over the past 50–60 years, attributing it to the alarming depletion of groundwater. He pointed out that during flood situations, when dam gates are opened, residents are often forced to evacuate their homes. However, he noted a positive shift, stating that 35 villages near Nangal Dam—previously facing drought-like conditions—have now started receiving water.

 

SAD MLA Ayali seeks royalty on water supplied to Rajasthan

Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali supported the state government's resolution and called for imposing royalty on water being supplied to Rajasthan. He blamed the Centre and previous Congress governments for Punjab's weak position in the Supreme Court and criticised the withdrawal of Akali Dal’s challenge to Section 78. Ayali also slammed the Dam Safety Act as an attack on Punjab’s rights and demanded its repeal.

 

BJP MLA Sharma backs govt's stance

BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma backed the government's stance on Punjab's water crisis, stating the state has no surplus water to share. He lauded the CM for calling an all-party meet and urged unity across party lines.