Haryana and Punjab have again embroiled in the controversy related to water sharing after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused the release of more water to Haryana. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday responded to Mann’s statement. Saini stated that Punjab CM is trying to ‘politicise’ the issue. He asserted that Haryana had not received its full share of water, but only 60 per cent. The matter pertains to BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board)’s annual water quota to the partnering states. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are states that rely on Bhakra and Pong dams managed by the BBMB to meet their water requirements.
Reacting to Mann’s statement, Saini said that the issue is of drinking water and not about the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal. “He is trying to politicise this issue. I would like to clarify that the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal matter is under the supervision of the Supreme Court. But this issue is not about SYL’s water. It is about the issue of drinking water… Haryana has not yet received its full share. In the last week, Haryana received only 4,000 cusecs of drinking water, which is approximately 60% of the state’s total demand. If BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) provides the remaining water per Haryana’s demand, it will be only 0.0001% of Bhakra Dam’s water reservoir,” Saini said.
Haryana CM further alleged that as long as the AAP was in power in Delhi, Mann had no objection to the water being sent to Delhi. “But now, since AAP lost in Delhi, he is doing this to punish the people of Delhi,” Saini added.
He has asked Mann to rise above his party politics, cooperate for nation’s interest and provide drinking water to Haryana.
Punjab CM Accuses Haryana Govt Of Seeking Additional Water
Notably, on Tuesday, Punjab CM had refused the release of more water to Haryana and asserted that the state has already utilised 103 per cent of its allocated share. Mann highlighted that Haryana has exhausted its share of water in March and is now seeking additional water for April and May. He accused BJP of pressurising Punjab government through the BBMB to meet Haryana’s extra water demand.
Mann said, “They now trying to rob Punjab of its water. They should have used their share carefully. The BJP is pressurising Punjab to release additional 8500 cusecs through BBMB. But we do not have a drop extra. There is already demand for canal water as the paddy season is coming up.”
Meanwhile, Union minister S Ravneet Singh also questioned the timing of statement Mann regarding water sharing. Bittu reiterated that no one will be allowed to take a single drop of water of Punjab but when the country is united to counter Pakistan on the terrorism, CM is dividing the two states on issue of water.
