Saturday, March 29, 2025
Chandigarh, May 5 – Punjab has taken a firm stance against releasing more water to Haryana. Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal condemned the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), accusing it of favoring the Union government and ignoring Punjab’s rights.
Goyal said BBMB no longer functions independently. Instead, it follows directions from the Centre. He criticized BBMB for calling meetings without proper legal notice, sometimes holding them overnight. “Punjab’s voice goes unheard, and its interests are sidelined,” he added.
The minister demanded a complete restructuring of BBMB to restore balance and protect Punjab’s water rights.
Punjab currently provides 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana for drinking purposes. Goyal made it clear that this support will continue, but Punjab cannot spare even one extra drop. He accused the Union government and BJP-led Haryana administration of trying to divert Punjab’s rightful share through unconstitutional methods.
On April 6, 2025, Haryana requested 4,000 cusecs. Punjab agreed out of goodwill. Now, Haryana is demanding 8,500 cusecs — a demand Goyal called “unreasonable” and “impossible” to meet.
Goyal questioned why Punjab should supply water from rivers like the Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas when they flow only through its territory. He said the 1981 water-sharing agreement was based on higher water levels than what exists today. “We need a new agreement that reflects the current situation,” he stressed.
He also warned BBMB not to change the water allocation terms. “BBMB has no authority to transfer one state’s water to another,” he stated. Any such move would violate the Constitution.
The minister highlighted the progress made by the AAP government under CM Bhagwant Mann. He said canal water now reaches 60% of Punjab’s land, compared to only 22% in 2021. “We’ve invested heavily in canals and irrigation systems,” he noted. “Every drop of Punjab’s water is vital for our own use.”
Goyal also opposed the Dam Safety Act, 2021. He called it a direct attack on Punjab’s autonomy. “This law gives the Union government full control over state dams. That violates the federal structure of India,” he said. Goyal demanded the Act’s immediate repeal.
