Chandigarh
Terming the statement made by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding water distribution as shocking, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said that on April 26, he personally spoke to the Punjab Chief Minister over the phone and informed him that the Technical Committee of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had decided to release water to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan on April 23. However, officers from Punjab were showing reluctance in implementing this decision. On that day, Mann gave a clear assurance that he would immediately instruct his officers to ensure its implementation by the next morning, said Saini.
The Chief Minister further stated that when, by 2 PM the next day (April 27), Punjab Government officers had done nothing and even stopped responding to calls from the Haryana Government officers, he wrote a letter to Mann to apprise him about the facts.
The Chief Minister said he is astonished that instead of responding to his letter even after 48 hours, the Punjab Chief Minister released a video in an attempt to mislead the public by disregarding the facts and polishing his political image in Punjab.
In his statement, Saini strongly refuted Punjab Chief Minister’s claim that Punjab or the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had not maintained records of water distribution in the past. He called the statement completely baseless and false.
The Chief Minister emphasized that every single drop of water is meticulously accounted for — not just by BBMB, but also by the governments of Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana at all times.
He further pointed out the contradiction in Punjab Chief Minister Bhawgant Mann’s statement in which he is accusing previous Punjab governments of failing to maintain data. It seems that Bhawgant Mann conveniently ignored the fact that during the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, Haryana consistently received no less than 9000 cusecs of water at the Contact Point (HCP) during the months of April, May, and June.
The Chief Minister further clarified that the water released by BBMB at the HCP includes 500 cusecs for Delhi’s drinking water, 800 cusecs for Rajasthan, and 400 cusecs for Punjab itself. Thus, the actual quantity of water received by Haryana remains only 6800 cusecs, he said.
Saini said that the Punjab Chief Minister seems to have forgotten that in the months of April and May, paddy cultivation is not carried out in either Punjab or Haryana, as it is legally prohibited. During these two months, the water released by BBMB is solely for drinking purposes.
He further pointed out that while Mann mentioned low water levels in Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams, he did not address the status of Bhakra Dam — from which Haryana receives its water, not from Pong or Ranjit Sagar. The demand from states fluctuates every 15 days and is decided by a technical committee. Over the past week, Haryana has received only 4000 cusecs of water, which is roughly 60% of its total demand, said the Chief Minister.
He added that the Punjab Chief Minister is fully aware that the water released from the dam in May is meant for drinking use by Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Of the water that reaches the HCP point during May, 800 cusecs is allocated to Rajasthan, 400 cusecs to Punjab, and 500 cusecs to Delhi. When the Aam Aadmi Party was in power in Delhi, it raised no objections over Delhi’s water share. However, now that AAP has lost the Delhi elections, the Punjab Chief Minister is making such statements to punish the people of Delhi, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
Haryana has not yet received its full share
The Chief Minister also dismissed Punjab’s claim that Haryana had exhausted its water share in March as completely baseless. In reality, Haryana has not yet received its full share. If BBMB were to provide the remaining water as per Haryana’s demand, it would amount to just 0.0001 percent of the water stored in Bhakra Dam — a figure so small it would have no impact on reserves.
The Chief Minister emphasized that it is essential to empty water reservoirs before June in order to store rainwater during the monsoon season. If the reservoir is not cleared in time, excess water will flow to Pakistan via Harike-Pattan, which is neither in the interest of Punjab nor the nation.
Saini appealed to the Punjab government to rise above a narrow-minded approach and cooperate in the national interest by ensuring Haryana receives its fair share of water. This step would not only enhance inter-state harmony but also ensure proper utilization of water resources, he said.
