Chandigarh (National Times): Amid escalating concerns over depleting water resources, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) directive to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana.
Introduced by Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, the resolution highlighted that Punjab is battling a severe water crisis, with 115 out of 153 blocks facing groundwater depletion, and is in no position to provide further water to neighboring states. Minister Goyal pointed out that Haryana has already exhausted its annual water quota, and an earlier release of 4,000 cusecs had already been made by Punjab on humanitarian grounds.
Terming the BBMB’s move “illegal” and a “violation of Punjab’s rights,” the resolution demanded:
- An immediate rollback of the water release order.
- The appointment of Punjab’s engineers and officers to BBMB, in line with the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
The resolution comes on the heels of an all-party meeting held on May 2, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, where all major political parties — AAP, Congress, SAD, BJP, BSP, CPI, and CPM — collectively voiced their opposition to the BBMB’s decision.
CM Mann further raised alarm over falling water levels in Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, noting that current levels are 12 to 32 feet lower than the same time last year — posing a serious threat to the upcoming paddy cultivation season.
The state government has also accused the Centre and the Haryana government of attempting to unjustly divert Punjab’s water, calling the move a breach of federal fairness and natural justice.
