A serious water dispute has broken out between ਪੰਜਾਬ and Haryana. Both ਮੁੱਖ Ministers—Bhagwant Mann of ਪੰਜਾਬ and Nayab Singh Saini of Haryana—are blaming each other over the issue of water release.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ Mann accused the BJP-led central ਸਰਕਾਰ of putting pressure on ਪੰਜਾਬ to release extra water to Haryana. He said this was a political move and that he would not let the BJP succeed in its unfair plans against ਪੰਜਾਬ.
On the other hand, Haryana CM Saini said ਪੰਜਾਬ was not following the water-sharing agreement made on April 23 by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He claimed Mann was breaking the deal just to look good in front of the ਲੋਕ of ਪੰਜਾਬ.
Mann explained that every year, water is shared among ਪੰਜਾਬ, Haryana, and Rajasthan from May 21 to May 21. This is decided by BBMB. However, Haryana recently asked for more water, but ਪੰਜਾਬ refused, saying water levels in its reservoirs are very low.
Mann also said Haryana already used up its full share in March—103% of what it was allowed. Despite this, ਪੰਜਾਬ still gave 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana for drinking purposes.
But Saini said that according to the April 23 agreement, Haryana should get 8,500 cusecs of water.
The argument continues as both states stand firm on their positions.
