The longstanding water-sharing dispute between Haryana and Punjab reignited this week after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused to release additional water to Haryana. In response, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini launched a scathing attack on Mann, accusing him of playing politics over a humanitarian issue.
Key Highlights:
- Saini’s Accusations:
CM Saini said Mann is “trying to politicise the issue” of drinking water, not the larger SYL canal dispute, which is under Supreme Court review. “This is not about SYL canal water. Haryana received only 60% of its water demand — 4,000 cusecs last week. The remaining amount is a negligible 0.0001% of the Bhakra Dam reservoir,” Saini said. - Allegation of Political Vendetta:
Saini suggested Mann was punishing Delhi’s people after AAP’s electoral loss in the capital. “As long as AAP was in power in Delhi, Mann didn’t object to water supply. Now, he’s using water politics to take revenge,” he said. - Appeal for National Interest:
Saini urged Mann to “rise above party politics” and cooperate in the national interest, citing that if the Bhakra Dam is not emptied before the monsoon, surplus water would drain into Pakistan via Hari-ke-Pattan.
Dam Level Debate
- Saini questioned Mann’s emphasis on low water levels in Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dams, without addressing the status of Bhakra Dam, the source of Haryana’s water.
- He also rejected Mann’s claim that previous governments did not monitor water levels. “All northern states, including Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana, track every drop of water via BBMB,” said Saini.
Timeline of Events:
- April 23: BBMB’s technical committee recommends water release to all states.
- April 26: Saini calls Mann to implement the decision; Mann reportedly agrees.
- April 27: No water released; Haryana officials claim Punjab stopped responding.
- April 28: Instead of replying to Saini’s letter, Mann posts a video, which Saini alleges is misleading.
This dispute comes amid rising water scarcity in several north Indian states and could have far-reaching consequences on interstate relations, especially as summer water demands peak.