Punjab Asserts Water Rights Amid Dispute with Haryana
In the midst of an ongoing dispute over water-sharing, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, passed a resolution in the state assembly on Monday, firmly stating that not a single drop of Punjab’s water will be diverted to Haryana beyond what has already been provided for humanitarian reasons.
The resolution was introduced by Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal during a special session of the assembly. Goyal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to undermine Punjab's water rights through its governments in Haryana, at the Centre, and via the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
According to Goyal, the BBMB convened a meeting "unconstitutionally and illegally" with the objective of reallocating Punjab’s water to Haryana. “Haryana has already used its allotted share of water until March 31,” he said. “Now the BJP wants to divert Punjab's rightful water to Haryana. This is unacceptable.”
The resolution emphasized the significant strides the Mann government has made in expanding canal irrigation in Punjab. While only 22% of Punjab’s fields received canal water in 2021, that number has now increased to 60%. “Every drop of water is now critical for Punjab’s agriculture,” the resolution stated.
Despite the firm stance, Punjab acknowledged a humanitarian gesture earlier in April, when it released 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana for drinking purposes after a formal request. The resolution reaffirmed that this supply would continue out of compassion, but “not even a drop more” would be provided.
The resolution also criticized the BBMB meeting as a breach of constitutional norms and condemned the Dam Safety Act of 2021, labeling it an infringement on Punjab’s rights.
Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, backed the resolution fully, reiterating that Punjab cannot afford to spare any additional water.
The Punjab assembly, through this resolution, has sent a strong message: the state is united in protecting its water resources and will not yield to pressure that undermines its constitutional and agricultural interests.
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