CHANDIGARH: An all-party meeting called by the Haryana government slammed the Punjab government's refusal to release water, calling it "unconstitutional, illegal, inhuman and inappropriate". The meeting urged the AAP-led Punjab government to allow the release of water from the Bhakra dam unconditionally.
This came a day after an all-party meeting in Punjab backed the state government's refusal to release more water to BJP-ruled Haryana.
The meeting was chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Other leaders present included Haryana's Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Shruti Choudhry, Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Energy Minister Anil Vij, State BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda of Congress, state Congress chief Udai Bhan, Dushyant Chautala of JJP, Rampal Majra of INLD and Sushil Gupta of AAP.
After the meeting, Saini criticized the Punjab government, stating that after refusing to construct the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal and effectively seizing irrigation water, Punjab is now engaging in an unconstitutional act by obstructing drinking water meant for the people of Haryana. "The all-party meeting decided that the Mann government should release water immediately and unconditionally. If anyone comes to our home, the first thing we do is to offer a glass of water before we talk. It is surprising that politics can be played to such an extent that there would be a question mark on drinking water," he said.
"They should immediately remove the inhuman, unconstitutional, illegal and inappropriate bar on the release of water. We resolve to ensure it and the construction of the SYL canal. We are ready to fight any battle. We appeal to people of both states to maintain peace," said Saini.
He said, "They have cut drinking water. All parties have expressed a strong reaction to this. All parties said they will work unitedly to protect state's interests, not just as Haryana political parties, but as Indians who have deep faith in federal structure and brotherhood."
He emphasized that all options remain open for the Haryana government to secure its rightful share of water. He said that, according to available information, Punjab has even convened a special assembly session on the water issue. The Haryana government is reviewing all such developments with seriousness. He said that a future course of action, whether approaching the Centre or convening a special session of the Haryana Assembly, will be decided in due course of time.
Saini said that earlier the Punjab government had no objection to the water going to Delhi. But after the result of the Delhi elections, it seems that the Punjab government is doing all this to take revenge against the people of Delhi.
A resolution was passed at the meeting in which an appeal was made to the Punjab government that the decisions of BBMB's technical committee dated April 23 and April 30 should be implemented forthwith unconditionally.
Taking a dig at the Punjab Chief Minister, CM Saini said Mann is unconstitutionally attempting to block Haryana’s water. "This water belongs to the entire nation. During the partition of India, water was divided between India and Pakistan. Subsequently, it was divided among the states. Water, therefore, is not the sole property of any one state," he said and added that the issue is not as severe as the Mann government is portraying it to be.
He shared data showing that in past years of low dam levels, such as 2016 through 2019, Haryana received its share without dispute. Ironically, the current water level is higher than in those years, yet Haryana is being denied even its minimal requirement. In 2019, when the water level was 1623 feet, 0.553 MAF of water had to be discharged as excess. This shows that water must be released from the dam to make space for monsoon rainwater. Each year, about 8500 cusecs of water is typically received. The states’ demands change every 15 days and are decided by the BBMB’s technical committee.
He said that Haryana's total allocated water share is 12.55 MAF, but it is receiving only 10.67 MAF. Meanwhile, Punjab's allocation is 14.67 MAF, yet it is using 17.15 MAF. This clearly shows Punjab is using far more water than its allocated share, while Haryana is getting 17% less than its due, he informed.
He said that in 2022, 2023 and 2024, less than 9000 cusecs of water was never given to Haryana in the months of April and May. The water that comes from the dam in May is used by Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan only for drinking. For many years, out of the water coming to Haryana, 800 cusecs of water went to Rajasthan, 400 cusecs of water to Punjab and 500 cusecs of water to Delhi. If we talk about the last three years, then in May 2022, Haryana got an average of 9780 cusecs, in May 2023, an average of 9633 cusecs and in May 2024, an average of 10062 cusecs of water.
Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that the Punjab government has committed an unconstitutional and inhumane act by blocking Haryana’s water, adding that the state has been receiving the same amount of water every year.
Hooda said that the only solution to this dispute lies in the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. "All political parties are united on this issue. We stand together with the Chief Minister Saini to resolve the drinking water crisis currently affecting Haryana," he asserted.
The AAP's Haryana chief Sushil Gupta extended strong support to the state government and said that a meeting should soon be fixed with the Prime Minister to resolve the issue.
