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Key Points

The ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana has escalated with Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring strongly opposing the Bhakra Beas Management Board's decision to release extra water to Haryana. Warring argues that Punjab is already facing water scarcity and cannot afford to share additional water resources. He has called for an emergency all-party meeting and accused the AAP government of hypocrisy in handling the situation. The Punjab government has increased security at the Nangal dam, anticipating potential law-and-order challenges.

Key Points: Punjab Cong Chief Warns Haryana Over Extra Water Demand

  • Punjab refuses additional water release to Haryana
  • Congress demands emergency all-party meeting
  • BBMB orders 8,500 cusecs water transfer
  • Punjab steps up security at Nangal dam
3 min read

No reason for Haryana to seek extra water when it has already got its share: Punjab Cong chief

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring opposes additional water release to Haryana, demanding Chief Minister's intervention

"We cannot let our own state go dry to provide water to others - Amarinder Singh Raja Warring"

Chandigarh, May 1

With the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) deciding to release 8,500 cusecs more water to Haryana, Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday warned that people of the state would not allow a single drop of extra water to flow to any other state. He said what has been the rightful due of Haryana has already been provided to it and it cannot seek extra water when Punjab was itself too short of it.

Warring demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann call an emergency all-party meeting to devise an effective strategy to save Punjab’s waters.

Referring to the AAP announcement of holding protests, he said it was just drama aimed at diverting public attention.

“When you are in government, why do you need to stage any dharna?” he asked the AAP government while telling it to take everyone along.

Warring said there was no reason for Haryana to seek extra water when it had already got its share.

“We cannot let our own state go dry to provide water to others,” he observed, while assuring full support and cooperation to the Punjab government to deal with the situation.

The Congress state President accused the AAP government of hypocrisy, pointing out, it had a secret understanding with the BJP which was exposed when it unleashed a reign of terror on the peacefully protesting farmers.

“When you already have such an understanding with the BJP, why do you need to enact the drama of protests?” he asked the AAP leadership, while warning it against any compromise or surrender of Punjab’s water to any other state.

He clarified that his party was not against providing Haryana with the water that has been already allocated to it under various agreements in the past, which it has been receiving all these years.

“But we will not allow a single drop of extra water to flow out of Punjab,” he made it categorically clear, while explaining that when Punjab does not have enough water for its own consumption, how can it provide extra water to others.

The BBMB on Wednesday evening ordered that an additional 8,500 cusecs of water would be released to Haryana.

Aghast at this decision, the Punjab government has stepped up security at the regulator’s end of the Nangal dam.

During a meeting of the BBMB’s three member states -- Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, the Punjab government issued a dissent note, saying it did not have an extra drop to share, and Haryana should have used its share judiciously.

While the release of water is yet to start, the government has stepped up security at the regulator end of the Nangal dam fearing a law-and-order situation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments on the Punjab-Haryana water dispute:
R
Rahul K.
Water disputes between states need mature handling. Both Punjab and Haryana are agricultural powerhouses - can't we find a scientific solution through proper water management? Politicians turning this into drama isn't helping farmers in either state. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
As someone from Delhi, I see both sides. Haryana needs water for crops too, but Punjab's concerns are valid. Why can't we invest more in rainwater harvesting and modern irrigation? Every year same fight, same politics. Enough is enough!
S
Sanjay D.
Punjab's stand is justified. First fix the leaky canals in Haryana that waste 40% water, then ask for more. Our farmers in Punjab are already struggling with depleting groundwater. Water is life - can't give what we don't have.
A
Anjali T.
Why is this always framed as Punjab vs Haryana? Both states feed the nation. Instead of protests, we need technical experts to assess actual water availability and requirements. Emotional rhetoric won't solve the crisis. 🤔
V
Vikram S.
The real issue is outdated water agreements from 1960s. Population has grown 4x since then! Time for new water sharing formula based on current realities. Centre should mediate properly instead of letting states fight every summer.
N
Neha P.
While Punjab's concerns are understandable, the language used by politicians is worrying. "Not a single drop" rhetoric creates unnecessary tension. We're one country - can't we discuss this like civilized people? Water management needs cooperation, not confrontation.

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