New Delhi [India], May 22: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday strongly criticized the Central government for deploying Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the Bhakra Nangal Dam, raising concerns over financial implications and state authority.
Addressing a press conference, CM Mann asserted that Punjab would continue to supply Haryana with its rightful share of water, stating, “As per routine, their water supply started yesterday. We will give them whatever their annual quota amounts to.”
Mann questioned the sudden move to deploy CISF at the dam, especially when the Punjab Police had been effectively handling security without any cost. “Why has CISF been deployed when Punjab Police is already doing this for free? This move will burden Punjab financially,” he said.
He highlighted the expenses, citing a government notice dated May 19 that outlines the deployment of 296 CISF personnel, with a per-person annual cost of Rs 2,90,100. This adds up to a total expenditure of Rs 8.59 crore, a cost Mann claims will fall on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) or Punjab.
He criticized the opposition for their silence and alleged that the BJP-led Centre was deliberately targeting Punjab. “BJP never misses a chance to strike a blow at Punjab,” Mann remarked. He further questioned the effectiveness of CISF in managing dam operations, stating they lack the knowledge to operate floodgates (‘fatta’), and hinted at potential motives behind the deployment: “Does this mean they’re preparing for theft next year?”
Earlier on May 11, CM Mann had accused the Central government of manipulating BBMB to seize Punjab’s water resources. In a post on X, he alleged, “BBMB is not stopping its dirty deeds at the behest of the BJP government at the Centre. While Punjab is standing firm on the border, the Centre is robbing Punjab’s water using BBMB officials.”
Vowing to resist such moves, Mann had said he would physically intervene if necessary to halt the “conspiracy,” accusing the Centre of undermining Punjab’s rights through administrative overreach.
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