The North News
New Delhi, November 18
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has said his government will not allow “anyone to snatch the rights of Punjab and Punjabis”, accusing neighbouring states of making unjust demands at a key regional meeting. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi a day after the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) meeting, Mann said several states — including Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh — had taken positions that, in his view, infringed on Punjab’s legitimate rights. “It is unfortunate that they are mounting pressure on Punjab. As the custodian of the state’s interests, I will not allow this,” he said.
Mann added that irresponsible leadership in these states had “made a mockery” of the NZC forum by seeking claims over Punjab’s resources, including river waters. Of the 28 agenda items discussed at the meeting, 11 related to Punjab, all of which were deferred — something Mann said was achieved through his government’s persistent efforts.
He argued that many of the disputes confronting Punjab today were the result of decisions taken by previous governments, including the Akali Dal, BJP and Congress. “These issues were thorns sown by my predecessors. We are working hard to resolve them,” he said.
On water disputes, the Chief Minister said any assessment must be based on real-time availability. He criticised what he called “illegitimate” claims by neighbouring states over river waters, the capital, Panjab University and headworks. “Every other state wants a share in Punjab’s rights. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Mann also dismissed Haryana’s objection to Punjab constructing mini-hydel projects on the Bhakra Main Line, calling the argument “strange, baseless and far from facts”.
Addressing the long-standing Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute, Mann said the only viable solution was a “Yamuna-Satluj Link (YSL)” that would ensure more efficient use of Yamuna waters. He reiterated that Punjab has “no surplus water” to divert through SYL and said no scientific study had ever established otherwise.
The Chief Minister added that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty had created an opening to revisit long-pending inter-state water issues. He said there was potential to link the Chenab with the Ravi and Beas rivers, where existing dams could regulate flows downstream.
Mann reaffirmed that Punjab would “not share a drop of spare water” because the state simply does not have any. “Our government is duty-bound to protect Punjab’s interests, and we will leave no stone unturned,” he said.
