Giving extra water to Haryana is a nefarious conspiracy of the Center: MP Aujla

April 22, 2024 10:51 am

Published by: factnews

The Fact News Service

Amritsar, May 3

MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, while objecting to the Center giving extra water to Haryana, said that the state government is absolutely right on this matter and the Center only discriminates against Punjab. MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said that he is with the state government on this issue and not a single drop of extra water will be given to Haryana.

MP Aujla said that according to the data, Haryana has used its share of water, now it is not right to snatch water from the farmers and people of Punjab and give it to them. He said that Punjab’s opposition to the decision of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana is justified, because the water situation of the state is serious and the legal rights are strong.

He said that Punjab has a 60% stake in BBMB, which gives it a big role in water distribution decisions. Punjab received 5.512 million acre feet (MAF) of water for the year 2024-2025, of which only 89% (4.925 MAF) was used till 31 March 2025, saving water for paddy sowing in June.

On the other hand, Haryana used 104% (3.110MAF) of its share of 2.987 MAF and Rajasthan used 110% (3.738MAF) of 3.318 MAF, indicating their incorrect allocation.

Water levels in BBMB dams are dangerously low. Bhakra Dam is 12 feet lower than last year, Pong Dam is 32 feet lower, and Ranjit Sagar Dam is 14 feet lower. Punjab’s groundwater level has gone down by 600 feet, thanks to canal water, which now meets 64% of irrigation requirements and is the lifeline of Punjab.

Now releasing excess water threatens Punjab’s agricultural economy and food security, even though Haryana’s drinking water demand is only 0.0001% of the dam’s reservoir, it has a major impact on Punjab’s limited resources.

MP Aujla said that the BBMB’s decision, which was taken with the support of the BJP government and Rajasthan, ignores Punjab’s protest and raises suspicion of bias with the transfer of Punjab’s Water Regulation Director. Punjab’s legal approach and the unanimity of all parties on the issue demonstrate a legitimate struggle to protect water rights.

It is noteworthy that in March 2022, the Central Government had removed the condition that two important technical posts of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) – Chairman and Member Power – would be filled only by engineers from Punjab and Haryana… Now these posts can be given to officers from any part of the country, which was strongly opposed by Punjab and this decision points to the nefarious intention of the Central Government.