Nikhil Tandon
The North News
Nangal (Rupnagar), May 21
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that he will raise the contentious issue of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) at the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a victory rally in Nangal, Mann accused the BBMB of acting against Punjab’s interests by siding with the central and Haryana governments in disputes over river water distribution.
CM Mann reiterated Punjab’s position that every water-sharing agreement should be reviewed every 25 years due to fluctuating water levels. “Punjab, being a landlocked border state, has over-exploited its natural resources – water and fertile soil – in its effort to feed the country. Yet our rightful share of water is being stolen,” he said.
The Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on BBMB, calling it a “white elephant” and accused its chairman of personally intervening to divert Punjab’s water to Haryana earlier this year. He claimed the state blocked the move, with farmers and locals resisting attempts to “steal” their resources.
CM Mann said BBMB had not returned ₹32 crore owed to Punjab and added that the board was yet to fill over 3,000 posts reserved for Punjabis — a move he claims was intended to weaken Punjab’s hold on the institution. He also criticised the deteriorating state of Nangal township, which he blamed on BBMB’s mismanagement.
Highlighting historical grievances, Mann accused previous governments — Congress, Akalis, and BJP — of colluding to surrender Punjab’s water rights. He cited examples, including a former chief minister who allegedly received a plot in Gurgaon for facilitating the SYL canal project.
Refusing to accept any further water sharing through the SYL canal, Mann instead advocated for a “Yamuna-Satluj Link” that would bring water from the Ganga and Yamuna to Punjab. “The Satluj has already dried up. There is no surplus water to offer,” he said.
Despite his sharp criticism, Mann noted that Punjab did allow 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana in April for drinking purposes. “Our Gurus taught us to help the thirsty — and we did,” he said, while emphasising that 60% of Punjab’s farmlands rely on canals, making every drop of water vital.
Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Barinder Goyal were present at the rally, with Bains welcoming the Chief Minister and Goyal thanking the attendees.