The Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously passed a resolution in a special session questioning the policy and partisan role of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in providing additional water to Haryana. In this resolution, it was demanded that the Dam Safety Act of 2021 of the Central Government be immediately withdrawn, terming it as an interference in the rights of the states and a violation of the federal structure. Also, it was demanded that the BBMB be restructured and the 1981 Water Sharing Agreement be revised as per the current situation, calling it a puppet of the Center and the BJP. The Punjab government also made its tough stance clear by foiling the secret plan of the BBMB.
Vidhan Sabha Resolution: Unity to protect waters
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha expressed strong objection to the decision of the BBMB to provide 4500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana in a special session. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann clarified that Haryana will not be given more than 4000 cusecs of water from Punjab’s share till May 20. The resolution demanded a fresh review of the 1981 agreement based on the current water availability (reduced from 17.17 MAF to 12.91 MAF).
Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said that Punjab has increased the use of canal water from 22% to 60%, which has saved groundwater. All political parties, including Congress’s Partap Singh Bajwa, Akali Dal and AAP’s MLAs, showed solidarity for the interests of Punjab
BBMB accused of bias and financial imbalance
The Punjab government accused the BBMB of removing Punjab officials and giving excess water to Haryana. Minister Goyal said that Punjab contributes 60% (over 700 crores) to the annual budget of Rs 1200 crore of BBMB, while Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal together contribute 40%. Despite this, Punjab has only one vote in BBMB, which is unfair. The Chief Minister termed the BBMB meetings as a violation of rules and its decisions as unconstitutional. The Dam Safety Act of 2021 was also considered an attack on the rights of the states. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said that the voice of states like Punjab and Bengal is being suppressed.
Punjab’s challenges and legal stance
Out of 153 blocks of Punjab, 120 are in the dark zone, due to which water scarcity is a major problem. The government clarified that Haryana will not be given additional water from Punjab’s share, only 4000 cusecs of water is allowed for drinking as a humanitarian measure.
Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains accused BBMB of illegally occupying hundreds of acres of Punjab’s land. AAP state president Aman Arora said that the decision to give 50% water to non-riparian state Haryana in 1966 was illegal. Congress leader Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa suggested that Punjab should make its own law against the Dam Safety Act. The Chief Minister assured Punjabis that the government would not compromise on the issue.
The unanimous resolution of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the foiling of the secret plan of BBMB shows a strong stance to protect the state’s waters. The unity of all political parties and the government’s promptness have increased the pressure on BBMB and the central government. Punjab’s main demands include restructuring of BBMB, review of the 1981 agreement and withdrawal of the Dam Safety Act. Haryana’s opposition and court action have complicated the issue, but the Punjab government’s stand is clear that it will protect its water rights.
BBMB’s plan thwarted due to Punjab’s caution
Earlier, the Punjab government thwarted BBMB’s secret plan to release excess water from Bhakra Dam to Haryana during the night. On receiving the information, the Water Resources Department immediately issued a telegram, stating that there was a risk of the Bhakra Canal bank breaking and releasing water without permission could cause loss of life and property. The responsibility for this would lie with BBMB. After this, BBMB withdrew its decision. Punjab also boycotted the May 5 meeting of BBMB, in which only Haryana representatives were present.
Water issue resolution and legal alternative
New agreement: Revise the 1981 agreement based on the current water availability (12.91 MAF).
Restructuring of BBMB: Increasing Punjab’s representation and voting rights in BBMB.
Water conservation: Common policy to increase the use of canal water and reduce dependence on groundwater. Judicial resolution: Impartial decision through Supreme Court or Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal.
Legal options: Supreme Court: Challenging BBMB decisions and Dam Safety Act in Supreme Court.
State law: Making Punjab’s own law against Dam Safety Act.
Inter-State Tribunal: Demand for tribunal under Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. Constitutional rights: Exercise of state’s right over water resources as per Seventh Schedule (List II, Entry 17) of the Constitution. However, Punjab can advocate riparian rights by citing international principles like Helsinki Rules (1966) or UN Convention (1997).
Reasons for non-implementation of riparian law: Inter-state agreements: The Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966 and the 1981 agreement ignored the riparian principle.
Central control: The BBMB and the Dam Safety Act gave the Centre more powers over water resources. Inter-state rivers are under the jurisdiction of the Centre (List 1, Entry 56). Agreements like the SYL Canal of previous governments weakened riparian rights.
Possibilities for implementation of riparian law: Punjab’s geographical rights over the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas can be argued in the Supreme Court. Inter-state
Moral pressure can be exerted by citing the Tree Principles.
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha resolution and the defeat of the BBMB’s secret plan are important steps to protect Punjab’s waters. The Supreme Court, Inter-State Tribunals and state law are the main legal options. Advocacy for riparian rights can provide strength. A new agreement, restructuring of BBMB and consensus are necessary for a permanent solution.
