‘Trying To Politicise Issue’: Haryana CM Slams Punjab CM Over Water Release Row
After Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused the release of more water to Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lashed out at Mann and said that he had been trying to “politicise” the issue.
Saini also clarified that Haryana had not received its full share of water, but only 60 per cent.
“He is trying to politicise this issue. I would like to clarify that the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal matter is under the supervision of the Supreme Court. But this issue is not about SYL’s water. It is about the issue of drinking water… Haryana has not yet received its full share. In the last week, Haryana received only 4,000 cusecs of drinking water, which is approximately 60% of the state’s total demand. If BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) provides the remaining water per Haryana’s demand, it will be only 0.0001% of Bhakra Dam’s water reservoir…” Saini said, speaking to the media on Wednesday.
Saini also stated that after the AAP lost the elections in Delhi, Bhagwant Mann was acting to punish the people of Delhi.
“If there is less water at the contact point of Haryana, then Delhi’s drinking water supply will also be affected. As long as the AAP government was in power in Delhi, Bhagwant Mann had no objection to the water being sent to Delhi. But now, since AAP lost in Delhi, he is doing this to punish the people of Delhi,” Saini further said.
He also requested Mann to rise above his party politics and provide drinking water to the state, further requesting him to rise above narrow perspectives and cooperate for the nation’s interest.
“I request Bhagwant Mann to rise above his party politics and provide drinking water to Haryana. It is necessary to empty the Bhakra Dam water reservoir before June so that rainwater can be stored during the monsoon. If there is no space left in the water reservoir, excess water will go to Pakistan via Hari-ke-Pattan, which is neither in the interest of Punjab nor the nation. Bhagwant Mann, I request you to rise above narrow perspectives, cooperate for the nation’s interest, and ensure the supply of proper drinking water to Haryana,” Saini said.
Saini further stated that, although Mann had advocated for low water levels in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dams, he had not explained the situation with the Bhakra Nangal Dam.
“Bhagwant Mann advocated the low water level in Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dam, but did not explain the situation of Bhakra Dam, from where Haryana gets its drinking water. Bhagwant Mann stated that, before today, neither Punjab nor the BBMB had kept track of water levels. This is false. Along with BBMB, the governments of Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana continuously monitor every drop of water at all times. On 26 April, I informed him on the phone that Punjab officials were reluctant to implement the BBMB’s technical committee’s decision to release water to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan on 23 April,” Saini further said.
The Haryana CM also alleged that he had been assured by the Punjab CM of water release but had been kept on hold till April 27, further stating that he had misled the people of Haryana.
“Mann assured me that he would release the water by the evening and said that he would also congratulate me on the phone for this. However, the next day, on 27 April, the Punjab officials did nothing until 2 PM, and even stopped responding to phone calls from Harayna officials. The next day, I wrote him a letter to make him aware of this situation, but instead of replying to the letter for 48 hours, Mann released a video, and for political selfishness, he sidelined the facts and tried to misguide the people of Haryana,” Saini said. (ANI)
