Chandigarh, May 21— Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that Punjab will allow only 100 cusecs of extra water to Haryana going forward, sharply criticising the Bhakra Beas Management Board for allegedly diverting the state’s rightful share. Calling it a matter of justice and resource protection, Mann said the AAP-led protest had compelled a re-evaluation of water distribution practices.
He hailed the conclusion of the Aam Aadmi Party’s protest against the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) as a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing battle to safeguard its water rights. The AAP observed the day as ‘Fateh Divas’, marking what it called a triumph in securing Punjab’s rightful share from the BBMB-managed water resources.
“This is not just the end of a dharna; it is a victory for Punjab’s farmers and for our constitutional rights,” Mann said while addressing supporters at the culmination of the protest.
Criticising BBMB’s May 1 decision to release an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, Mann alleged it amounted to the unauthorised diversion of Punjab’s share. “This was theft, and past governments remained silent while our resources were drained,” he said.
Mann announced that Punjab, from now on, would allow only 100 cusecs of extra water to Haryana. He further revealed that from September 20, 2024, to May 20, 2025, Haryana consumed 1.42 lakh cusecs more than its entitled share.
“Punjab has never utilised more than 70 percent of its BBMB share,” he said. “But under our government, we’ve revived the canal system to ensure we use every drop of what belongs to us.”
Describing the BBMB as a “white elephant”, Mann claimed the board owed Punjab Rs 33 crore dating back to the construction of the Bhakra Dam — an amount that, with interest, has now swelled to over Rs 130 crore. “We will recover every rupee,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister also pointed out symbolic marginalisation in the BBMB headquarters, alleging that photographs of Haryana and Rajasthan chief ministers were on display, but Punjab’s CM photo was absent.
Mann further vowed to fill Punjab’s employee quota in BBMB and opposed what he called the domination of retired officials from Haryana. “We will raise this matter strongly in the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting,” he said, adding that a reorganisation of the board is on the agenda.
Referring to Haryana as a “younger brother”, Mann said the issue was unnecessarily politicised by the previous Haryana CM and a Union minister. “They made this an ego battle instead of addressing a legitimate grievance,” he remarked.
As Punjab prepares for paddy sowing from June 1, Mann underscored the need to prioritise canal water use to reduce reliance on groundwater and electricity.
The Chief Minister concluded by announcing that Punjab would seek a review of all water-sharing agreements with Haryana and Rajasthan. “We are not asking for charity — we are demanding justice,” he said.
