- By Imran Zafar
- Mon, 05 May 2025 01:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Punjab Legislative Assembly held a special session on Monday to address the water sharing issue between the state and Haryana following the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) decision to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state. The special session aims to pass a resolution against the BBMB's decision and asserting Punjab's rights over its water resources. The majority of political parties have united against sharing additional water to Haryana as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government calls for all pro-Punjab forces to stand for Punjab's water rights.
Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said Haryana has been provided with more than its allocated share of water, stating that the AAP is not doing politics but safeguarding Punjab’s rights. "Water is a huge necessity for Punjab… We have given more than their share of water to Haryana... Both the Haryana and Central governments want to loot water from Punjab. Our AAP government will never let this happen," the minister said as quoted by news agency PTI.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa reiterated a firm pro-Punjab stance, stating that Congress has always been with the people of Punjab and will not allow Punjab's water to be given to anyone else. "We want the state government to take such a stand to secure our future," he added.
MLA Sandeep Jakhar highlighted concerns about water quality within Punjab, noting that people in his tehsil have to manage with dirty water. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for its delayed response, pointing to the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which centralises the rights and control of dams in any state.
The special session follows an all-party meeting on May 2, where all parties expressed concerns against the BBMB's decision and noted that Punjabis have the right to every drop of Punjab water. The meeting emphasised that no one will be allowed to take away Punjab's water without a fight.
During a BBMB meeting on Wednesday with Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Punjab formally dissented, claiming it had no water to spare. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised the order and alleged political pressure from the Centre and Haryana’s BJP government. He reiterated that Punjab would not tolerate what he described as another "robbery" of its rightful resources.
Punjab-Haryana Water Dispute
Haryana demanded 8,500 cusecs of water earlier this week, citing acute shortages even for domestic use. While BBMB approved the release, Punjab pointed out that Haryana had already used over 100 per cent of its allocated share, 3.110 MAF against 2.987 MAF. CM Bhagwant Mann accused BBMB of yielding to political pressure and warned of agricultural consequences for Punjab if water was diverted.
Why Punjab Says It Cannot Spare Water
Punjab claims it is facing a severe water shortage due to reduced inflow from Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams, both affected by deficient rainfall and low snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, the Pong dam is undergoing maintenance, further limiting water availability. Although Bhakra dam currently holds slightly more water than average, Punjab says it needs the reserves to sustain paddy cultivation till the monsoon’s arrival in late June.
BBMB Water-Sharing Mechanism
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), created after Punjab's reorganisation in 1966 and renamed in 1976, oversees water distribution from the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers. Water is allocated to states during two cycles annually, the depletion period (Sept 21–May 20) and the filling period (May 21–Sept 20).
(With agency inputs)