The North News
Chandigarh, May 2
As tensions escalate between Punjab and Haryana over a long-simmering water-sharing dispute, the central government has stepped in to defuse the crisis.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is chairing an emergency meeting in New Delhi with the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan—partner states of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)—in a bid to broker a resolution.
The dispute flared up after the BBMB directed Punjab to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana on Wednesday, a move that triggered sharp political reactions in Chandigarh.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who convened an all-party meeting at Punjab Bhawan on Friday, struck a defiant tone. “Punjabis have a right over every drop of river water and no one can snatch it,” Mann declared, signalling a firm stand on the issue.
Leaders from across the political spectrum in Punjab joined the meeting to deliberate on the state’s response, with consensus building around the need for legislative action.
The Punjab government has announced a special session of the state Vidhan Sabha on Monday, 5 May, where it plans to introduce a resolution reaffirming Punjab’s position on river water rights.
Mann reiterated that his government would not compromise on the issue. “The interests of the state on river waters will be safeguarded by all means,” he said.
