Punjab CM Informs Tribunal Team: No Excess River Water Available for Other States
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann told members of the Ravi-Beas Water Tribunal on Wednesday that the state has no spare river water to share with other states. The tribunal team, led by Chairman Justice Vineet Saran, is on a three-day visit to Punjab.
During a meeting with the tribunal members, Mann emphasized the need for a reassessment of the state's water availability based on international norms. He pointed out that 117 out of 153 blocks in Punjab are over-exploited, compared to only 88 out of 143 blocks in neighboring Haryana.
Mann stated that most of the state’s river resources have "dried up," and Punjab requires more water to meet its irrigation needs. He reiterated that the Punjab government is committed to safeguarding the interests of the state and its people, leaving no effort undone to protect them.
The Chief Minister also raised a historical point, noting that while the Yamuna River once flowed through Punjab's territory before Haryana was formed, its waters were not considered when apportioning river water between the two states. He argued that if Haryana can receive water from the Ravi and Beas rivers, then, by the same logic, Yamuna waters should also be shared with Punjab.
Mann Criticizes Political "Bonhomie" Among Opposition Leaders
In a separate statement, Mann took aim at political leaders who attended a function related to the marriage of former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal's daughter. He accused these leaders of pretending to be bitter rivals in public while privately "embracing each other."
Mann specifically criticized the apparent camaraderie between Sukhbir and Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar at the event held on Monday in Chandigarh. He remarked that while these leaders were seen enjoying a feast, the state's food growers were fasting to demand their rights. His comments appeared to reference the breakup of the SAD-BJP alliance during the farmers' protests at Delhi's borders in 2020-21, which led to the eventual repeal of the controversial farm laws by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
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