Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Asserts: 'No Extra Water for Any State, Will Approach Supreme Court

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reached Nangal Dam amidst the growing dispute over water between Punjab and Haryana. On this occasion, he said that the country is going through a lot of problems, but these people are looking for opportunities even in trouble. The CM said that today the police is needed at the border, but we have to deploy them here. That is why we have brought AG Sahib.

Chief Minister Mann said that six letters were written to Haryana to inform them about water, while the BBMB people went to the High Court in this matter, whereas if Haryana had gone it would have been a different matter. We are absolutely right legally in the matter of fight for water. Punjab has 60 percent share in BBMB. It runs completely separately from BBMB. In such a situation, why should we bear its expenses? If we talk of votes, then Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal have one vote each. He said that as far as SYL is concerned, when we do not have water, then why should we allow the canal to be built. We have water only for our own use. We have nothing other than this.

CM said that we are preparing to go to Supreme Court in this matter. BBMB Chairman said that we will meet in the evening. We will question him at that time. We condemn the actions of the Chairman. Mann said that everything from BBMB colonies to everything else is ours and BBMB has stood against us. CM said that without any information the Chairman reached the dam. 200 cusecs of water of Punjab was stopped and given to Haryana. The Chairman was told that you do not have such authority. After this, water supply to Punjab has been started. The High Court ordered to follow the order of the Home Secretary of the Central Government on the 2nd. There is no mention in it that water should be given. After the meeting, a press note was issued that 4500 cusecs of additional water of Haryana should be considered to be released. CM said that the High Court said that if you do not agree with the decision, you can go to the Supreme Court. I do not understand which crop has Haryana sown, which has to be cultivated in eight days. We have managed the entire month of April with 4000 cusecs, so wait for a few more days. BBMB should not indulge in such activities because this will spoil the atmosphere. Should we deploy force on the border or on the dams? It is worth mentioning that last night an officer of Bhakra Beas Management Board tried to forcefully release water from Nangal Dam. After this, the police took him into custody.