Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann: Not a Single Drop of Water for Haryana Amid Sharing Row

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann: Not a Single Drop of Water for Haryana Amid Sharing Row

Mann claimed Haryana used its allocated water share by March 31 and was subsequently seeking additional water for April and May.

Chandigarh, Punjab – A significant water-sharing dispute has erupted between Punjab and Haryana. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared that his government will not release any additional water to neighbouring Haryana. He asserts that Haryana has already utilised its allocated water share.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab claims the BJP is conspiring against the state, its farmers, and people in this dispute. Amid escalating tension, Mann visited the Nangal dam in Rupnagar district, where state minister Harjot Singh Bains and AAP workers staged a ‘dharna’. Bains reportedly locked a room at the dam that regulates water supply.

The row intensified after the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana during a meeting. Punjab strongly objected to this BBMB move, arguing that Haryana has already used 103 per cent of its allocated water share.

Speaking at the Nangal dam, Mann described on May 1 the issue as “very serious,” highlighting that Punjab is currently facing a water crisis. He noted that water levels at key dams – Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar – are lower than they were at the same time last year.

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Mann accused the BJP-ruled states of Haryana and Rajasthan of engaging in ‘gundagardi‘ (thuggery) and ‘tanashahi‘ (dictatorship), and colluding to reach the decision to give more water to Haryana. He questioned how they could bypass Punjab and take water without their agreement.

The Chief Minister stated that Haryana officials have admitted to using the state’s water share by March. “Not even a single drop of water will be given. We do not have water. Do not expect water from us,” Mann stated emphatically. He also accused the BJP of pressuring the Punjab government through the BBMB to meet Haryana’s demands.

Mann claimed Haryana used its allocated water share by March 31 and was subsequently seeking additional water for April and May. He emphasised that Punjab requires water for the upcoming paddy sowing season and has no surplus to spare.

He provided figures for water distribution this year by the BBMB: Rajasthan received 3.318 million acre feet (MAF), Haryana 2.987 MAF, and Punjab 5.512 MAF. Mann reiterated that Haryana’s share was used by March 31, leading to the crisis. However, he noted that as a humanitarian gesture, Punjab generously provided 4,000 cusecs of water daily to Haryana from April 6.

Mann hinted at the possibility of calling an all-party meeting and a special Assembly session to discuss the water issue.