Punjab Assembly Convenes Special Session Over BBMB’s Water Release To Haryana

The Punjab Legislative Assembly held a special session to address growing concerns over water sharing with Haryana on Monday.

The session followed the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) directive to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra-Nangal Dam to Haryana on April 30.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called the session to pass a resolution aimed at protecting Punjab’s water rights, a move that received unanimous support from all political parties in the state.

Punjab CM Mann Rallies Support Against BBMB Decision

Chief Minister Mann expressed strong disapproval of the BBMB’s order and shared his stance on the social media platform X.

“Today in Chandigarh, a meeting was held with senior leaders of all Punjab parties regarding Punjab’s water. All leaders showed unity against the central government’s injustice through the BBMB. Punjabis have the right to every drop of Punjab water, and no one will be allowed to take it away,” he stated.

The special session follows an all-party meeting held on May 2, where political leaders agreed to collectively resist the BBMB directive, emphasising Punjab’s right to its water resources.

Ministers, MLAs Defend Punjab’s Water Rights

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused both the Haryana and Central governments of attempting to ‘loot’ Punjab’s water.

“Water is a huge necessity for Punjab. We have already given more than Haryana’s share. Our AAP government will not allow this. We are not doing politics—this is about survival,” he said.

Barinder Kumar Goyal, another Punjab minister, clarified the legal framework for water allocation.

“The issue is not dam capacity, but rightful water share. BBMB allocates based on existing laws. We will protect Punjab’s rights within the legal framework,” he stated.

Opposition Backs State Government’s Stand

Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa also took a strong pro-Punjab stance.

“Congress has always supported Punjab’s people. No one will take Punjab’s waters under any circumstances. We want the government to secure our future,” he declared.

Congress MLA Sandeep Jakhar echoed the concern but also highlighted water quality issues within Punjab.

“Everyone agrees Punjab doesn’t have excess water, but we must also talk about the dirty water our people are getting. In my tehsil, residents struggle with poor water quality. I’ll raise this issue in the Assembly,” he said.

Criticism Of Delayed Response And Centralisation Of Dam Control

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for acting too late. He referred to the Dam Safety Act of 2021, which he said centralises dam control and weakens state authority.

“Bhagwant Mann, who was an MP in 2021, did not say anything when the Act was passed. That law has now taken away Punjab’s control over its own dams. This is a delayed reaction—let’s see what resolution they bring,” Khaira remarked.

Punjab Rejects BBMB’s Decision Amid Falling Reservoir Levels

The Punjab government has formally rejected the BBMB’s directive to release additional water, citing a worrying decline in water levels across major reservoirs.

Officials argue that diverting more water to Haryana will jeopardise Punjab’s agricultural needs and drinking water supply.

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