Punjab-Haryana water dispute: HC issues notice to Centre, BBMB; next hearing on May 20
PTC Web Desk: In a significant development in the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana, the Punjab and Haryana High Court held a hearing on Wednesday on a review petition filed by the Punjab Government. During the proceedings, the High Court issued notices to the Central Government, the state of Haryana, and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The next hearing has been scheduled for May 20.
Meanwhile, an important meeting of the BBMB is set to take place, where engineers from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan will participate. The meeting will strategise the water release plans for the critical summer months of May and June.
The water dispute had been intensifying over the past several days. On May 8, BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi arrived at Bhakra Dam to facilitate water release, but local residents and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders reportedly prevented the action. Tripathi was allegedly held hostage, prompting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to personally reach the site. The Chief Minister declared that water would not be released until official orders from the May 2 meeting led by the Union Home Secretary were provided.
Subsequently, the BBMB filed a petition regarding the incident. In his affidavit, BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi stated that the Punjab Police interfered with the dam's operations and obstructed the functioning of the board’s officers. The High Court has directed the Punjab Government to identify the police personnel who impeded the BBMB's work. The Punjab Government later took action in this regard.
A state government spokesperson informed the court that during the live court proceedings on May 8, Chairman Manoj Tripathi admitted to being surrounded only by local residents and acknowledged that the Punjab Police assisted him in safely exiting the site. However, in a conflicting affidavit submitted on May 9, Tripathi alleged that he had been held in illegal custody — a statement contradictory to his earlier court declaration.
As a result, the Punjab Government invoked Section 379 of the BNSS 2023, and requested the High Court to initiate proceedings under Section 215 of the BNSS for knowingly submitting a false affidavit.
Additionally, the Punjab Government has sought contempt of court proceedings against Manoj Tripathi and Sanjeev Kumar, Director (Water Regulation), for deliberately violating the High Court’s order dated May 6.
- PTC NEWS
