High Court's decision on Bhakra water dispute, orders to release water will remain in force

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): In the water dispute case related to Bhakra Beas Management Board, Punjab and Haryana High Court has passed an important order and rejected the demand of Punjab Government in which the government had asked the High Court to withdraw or amend its May 6 order. The court said in its order that its orders were absolutely correct. There is no basis for interfering in it now. On May 6, the High Court had ordered that the decision taken in the meeting of the Union Home Secretary to give water to Haryana should be implemented.

High Court's decision on Bhakra water dispute, orders to release water will remain in force; Punjab told- if there is any objection, inform the Center : The Punjab government had argued in its petition that the said order was taken by concealing facts and it should be withdrawn. Punjab alleged that Haryana, BBMB and the Government of India concealed certain important documents from the court, particularly a letter sent by Haryana on April 29, 2025, in which the BBMB chairman was requested to refer the water supply dispute to the central government.

The Punjab government also claimed that the water dispute could be resolved only under the 'Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956' and not the 'Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966' or the BBMB Rules 1974, as held by the High Court. It also said that the BBMB was not authorised to give any decision on the matter as the matter had been referred to the Central government.

However, the court categorically rejected all the arguments of Punjab, stating that the letter cited was only for implementation of a resolution of the technical committee meeting and not a formal reference of any dispute. The court also said that if Punjab has any objection, it can make a formal reference to the central government under Rule 7, for which it has already been given the freedom in the order.