Punjab-Haryana water dispute reaches Centre: Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to decide
PTC Web Desk: The ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana has now escalated to the Union Government. The matter, centered on Punjab's refusal to release additional water to Haryana, has reached the Ministry of Power. The final decision is expected to be taken by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Earlier, a senior official from Haryana wrote to the Chairman of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), invoking sub-rule 7 of the 1974 BBMB Rules, and requested that the issue be referred to the Centre. Following this, the Secretary of BBMB forwarded the matter to the Joint Secretary (Hydro), Ministry of Power, seeking central intervention for resolution.
At the heart of the dispute is Haryana's demand for 8,500 cusecs of water. Punjab, however, has maintained that it is already supplying 4,000 cusecs on humanitarian grounds. Punjab claims that while Haryana has already utilised 103% of its allocated share, Punjab has received only 89%—the lowest among the stakeholders.
Technical feasibility has also been cited by Punjab as a reason for denial. The Bhakra Main Line canal, through which the water is supplied, has a maximum capacity of 10,000 cusecs. Fulfilling Haryana's demand of 8,500 cusecs, therefore, is not only technically impractical but could also compromise Punjab’s own water requirements, especially given the below-normal water levels in the state's reservoirs.
With the monsoon season approaching, Punjab asserts that it urgently needs to conserve water for its own agricultural and drinking needs. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly criticised the Centre’s handling of the issue, accusing it of bias and failing to uphold Punjab’s rights.
The Punjab Government maintains that water is its lifeline and has reiterated that it cannot afford to give more than its fair share. It has called for a scientific and equitable distribution of water. Meanwhile, questions have been raised about whether Haryana’s demand is politically motivated rather than based on necessity.
Punjab firmly states, “This is not a water war, it is a fight for our rights.”
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#Punjab Haryana Dispute #WaterCrisis #BBMB #BhakraBeas #ManoharLalKhattar #BhagwantMann #PunjabRights #WaterSharing #IndianPolitics #HydroConflict
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- PTC NEWS
