Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will push the Punjab water rights issue and the now-withdrawn Panjab University Senate restructuring at the Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad today. He believes both issues directly affect the state’s federal rights. Therefore, he wants the Centre and neighbouring states to hear Punjab’s position clearly.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the meeting, which will include leaders from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Mann plans to firmly oppose any move that reduces Punjab’s control over river waters or administrative posts in Chandigarh.
He will highlight the earlier dispute with the BBMB over excess water released to Haryana. Mann also wants to stop the CISF deployment at the Bhakra Dam, as Punjab prefers to retain its police presence. Moreover, he will argue that Punjab cannot spare water for the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal and will again seek a share in Yamuna waters.
Additionally, he will resist Rajasthan’s demand for Ravi-Beas water and object to changes in BBMB membership. Mann also intends to raise the frequent Ghaggar flood problem and seek a joint solution.
The CM will repeat the state’s demand for status quo on the PU Senate and emphasize that the Punjab water rights issue remains his top priority.
