BBMB dispute Archives - India Podcast

Punjab Has No Water: Mann Questions Why Yamuna Can’t Go to Haryana

Neha Kumari — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:52:01 +0000

The debate around Punjab has no water grew sharper as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann questioned why Haryana keeps demanding more when Punjab struggles with severe shortages. At the Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad, he said Punjab has no water, so the Centre must rethink outdated sharing agreements.

Mann said the Union government agreed to defer eleven Punjab-related agenda items. Most of them involved water disputes with neighbouring states. He added that Himachal Pradesh raised a new claim, seeking 7% staffing rights in Chandigarh. Mann argued that every neighbouring state wants something from Punjab while ignoring Punjab’s own challenges.

The Chief Minister opposed Haryana’s demand for SYL canal water and suggested that Yamuna water should flow to Haryana instead. He said the SYL could shift to a YSL (Yamuna Sutlej Link) model to match today’s realities. He also pointed out Rajasthan’s claim over the Harike and Ferozpur waterworks and objections to new appointments on the BBMB.

Mann reminded the Centre about unpaid flood-relief funds worth ₹1,600 crore. He also sought major desilting projects for Harike, Ranjit Sagar Dam and Bhakra Dam, which would cost ₹10,000 crore. He welcomed the status quo ordered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on key Punjab issues.

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Punjab CM Mann to defend water rights at zonal council meet

Neha Kumari — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:15:26 +0000

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will push the Punjab water rights issue and the now-withdrawn Panjab University Senate restructuring at the Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad today.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.

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