Chandigarh, April 30, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday lashed out at the BJP-led governments in Haryana and the Centre, accusing them of conspiring to deprive Punjab of its rightful share of water. In a strongly worded statement, Mann declared that Punjab has “not a single drop to spare” and vowed to protect the state’s water resources at all costs.
Responding to reports that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini claimed Mann had promised additional water to his state, the Punjab CM dismissed the assertion as “a bundle of lies.” He clarified that while Saini had indeed contacted him, no such commitment was ever made.
“Punjab does not have any surplus water to offer,” Mann said, adding that constitutional authorities must not mislead the public. He criticized Saini for circulating claims through the media without proper context or truth.
Providing context on water distribution, Mann explained that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had allocated 5.512 million acre-feet (MAF) to Punjab, 2.987 MAF to Haryana, and 3.318 MAF to Rajasthan for the year spanning May 21, 2024, to May 20, 2025. According to Mann, Haryana had already exhausted its share by March 31, leading to an emergency request for drinking water, to which Punjab responded by supplying 4,000 cusecs daily from April 6.
Despite Haryana’s population of roughly three crore, Mann argued that 1,700 cusecs is sufficient for basic needs. He accused the Haryana government of demanding 8,500 cusecs per day more than double its estimated requirement hinting that the water is being diverted for irrigation, not drinking.
Mann emphasized that Punjab is itself struggling with an acute water shortage, particularly for agricultural use. He cited alarmingly low reservoir levels at major dams: 32 feet below normal at Pong Dam, 12 feet at Bhakra, and 14 feet at Ranjit Sagar.
“Every single drop is critical to Punjab’s survival,” Mann stated, making it clear that his government will not entertain any move that compromises the state’s water security.
The Chief Minister also accused the Centre and Haryana’s BJP governments of using the BBMB to manipulate water distribution, calling recent resolutions passed by the board a direct threat to Punjab’s rights. He reaffirmed his commitment to opposing any such move and safeguarding the state’s interests.
“This water belongs to Punjab, and we will not let anyone rob us of what is rightfully ours,” Mann asserted.
