‘Facing issues related to drinking water; people of both states should maintain peace’: Haryana CM

CHANDIGARH (Haryana) : Amid the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Haryana and Punjab, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday appealed to the people of both states to maintain peace and said that in the all-party meeting, a resolution was passed that the Punjab government should implement the decision taken by Bhakra Beas Management Board to release Haryana’s share of water.

Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Haryana CM said that the state is facing issues related to drinking water.

“I want to tell Mann sahib (Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann) that this water doesn’t belong to Punjab only but to the whole country…On 23rd April, the Bhakra Beas Management Board decided to give 8,500 cusec water to Haryana, but the Mann government did not honour this decision. On 30th April, in the BBMP meeting, a resolution was passed to implement the 23rd April decision. 12.55 MAF water is allotted to Haryana against 10.67 MAF given to the state…Punjab is using more than its share of water. Haryana is getting 17 per cent less water than originally allocated to it…At least don’t do politics on water meant for drinking purposes…Today, in Haryana, we are facing issues related to drinking water,” Haryana CM said.
Haryana CM said that the Punjab government should release Punjab’s share of water.

“In the all-party meeting today, it was decided that the Mann government (Punjab government) should release our share of water. We have also passed a resolution that the Punjab government should implement the decision taken by BBMP on 23rd April to release Haryana’s share of water. We also appeal to the people of both states to maintain peace,” Haryana CM said.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) recently ordered that an additional 8,500 cusecs of water be released to Haryana.

Earlier today, the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government called an all-party meeting in Haryana in Chandigarh.

The statement comes after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised concerns on May 1 over decreasing water levels in key reservoirs. He mentioned that the water levels in Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Ranjit Sagar Dam are 32 feet, 12 feet, and 14 feet below last year’s levels, respectively.

Mann also lashed out at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for directing Punjab to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. CM Mann strongly opposed the directive, stating that Punjab is already grappling with its own water needs due to the upcoming paddy sowing season and declining groundwater levels.

Amidst the escalating concerns over Punjab’s water rights, Bhagwant Mann had called an all-party meeting on May 2 to discuss Punjab’s water rights. Additionally, the Punjab government is likely to call a special session of the Assembly on Monday to table a proposal addressing the issue. (ANI)