Punjab United Against Additional Water Release to Haryana
In a rare show of unity, all political parties in Punjab have unanimously resolved not to release any additional water to Haryana from the Bhakra dam. The decision came during an all-party meeting convened by the Punjab government on Friday morning to address the ongoing water dispute.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, lasted two hours and saw representation from across the political spectrum. Leaders collectively authorized the state government to chart the next steps for protecting Punjab’s rights over its water resources.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, accompanied by senior party leader Manoranjan Kalia, confirmed the BJP’s support for the state government’s stand. He emphasized that Punjab could not afford to give away more water, especially after Haryana had already exhausted its allocated share for the depletion period from September 21 to May 20. "This injustice to Punjab will not be tolerated," Jakhar stated, though he noted that the confrontation could have been avoided.
Attention now shifts to the Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, scheduled for May 5. Chief Minister Mann announced that the session’s agenda will be drafted based on inputs from all parties. “Let me make it clear—this is not about politics. All parties are united on this critical issue of safeguarding Punjab’s waters,” Mann said. He added that the Governor has already approved the session, and the next step would be to seek an audience with the Prime Minister. All parties have agreed to participate in the delegation to the Centre.
Speaking after the meeting, CM Mann criticized the pressure being exerted on Punjab to release more water. “Haryana has already used up its quota. We even gave them 4,000 cusecs of water on humanitarian grounds on April 4. But Punjabis cannot be forced to give in further,” he asserted.
Congress leader Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa echoed this sentiment, affirming that all political parties stood firmly behind the government’s approach to handling the issue going forward.
Leave A Comment