Chandigarh | The Punjab-Haryana government is fighting for a week on the issue of water from the Bhakra Canal. Even after the efforts of the central government, no consensus has been reached yet. On the instructions of the Union Home Ministry, Punjab boycotted the meeting organized by BBMB in Chandigarh on Saturday evening. Despite this, a meeting was held for an hour between the officials of Haryana, Himachal and Rajasthan.
According to sources, it has been decided in the meeting that Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi will coordinate with the Punjab government in this matter. There will be a discussion on releasing water from the dam and removing security. At the same time, Punjab Irrigation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal says that we are not taking away anyone’s right, but are protecting it.
He cornered LOP Pratap Bajwa and Raja Warring as well as Himachal Chief Minister Sukhu over the statement that Punjab and Haryana are fighting over Himachal’s water. He said that the silence of both the leaders is also a betrayal with Punjab.
5 main points of the statement of Punjab Irrigation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal:
Bhakra Dam has caused more wounds than water
Goyal said that Bhakra Dam was built in 1963, at that time 370 villages of Punjab were destroyed. 27,000 acres of land is in the dam. Lakhs of people became homeless, who have not received proper compensation till date. This dam has only caused us wounds. That much water was not given in this dam. 65 percent of the water from the dam is taken by other states. We get only 35 percent. We are not snatching anyone’s right.
We are protecting interests, they are getting angry
Goyal said that we are protecting our interests, due to which they are getting angry. Sometimes Himachal CM Sukhu said something, sometimes someone said something. Other states are pushing us away. Haryana’s share was 2.987 MFA, but it has used more than its share of 3.019 MFA. Whereas it had to use this water by 21 May. We are people who work by planning. Our Chief Minister, Minister, and my department are working day and night on this. We have brought canal water to the fields. Our water is left with nine percent.
If we were wrong, BBMB was not going to let us go
BBMB is calling meetings after meetings. Even in the meeting, BBMB was not going to let us go if even one thing was against us. Because everything is on record. It is written in the record that Haryana and Punjab will get this much water. So BBMB people will not be able to give orders in this.
The Center also asked Haryana about the plan
Goyal said that the Central Government has also asked Haryana in the meeting that why did you not make your own plan. Punjab’s stand is clear. We do not suppress anyone, we protect water and will continue to do so. Now they are exaggerating things.
Congress’ silence on Sukhu’s statement is betrayal
What Himachal CM Sukhu is doing, do Congress’ LOP Pratap Singh Bajwa or Chief Amarinder Singh and Raj Vading agree with him in Punjab? If they remain silent, then this is also a betrayal to Punjab. They should tell whether they agree or not. We condemn Sukhu’s statement. There is a ruckus without any reason, which he is promoting further.
All-party meeting held in Haryana
Earlier on the 3rd, an all-party meeting was held in Haryana regarding this matter. Also, a strategy was made to fight this matter together. At the same time, a lawyer from Haryana has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this matter. Also, it has been demanded that the force deployed there be removed. Also, this matter should be resolved. Because there is a problem of water in many parts of Punjab.
Sukhwinder Sukhu said – Punjab-Haryana are fighting over Himachal’s water:
The water that comes from Himachal is mostly divided between Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. When we thought of earning income from water, both the states opposed it. We are not demanding rights over water. The people of Himachal have lost their land and the fight is between Punjab and Haryana. They should also support us. We should get 12% royalty as per the policy.
Water crisis in 9 districts of Haryana
Government sources say that water crisis has started in 9 districts of Haryana. If the situation does not improve, the water going to Delhi and Rajasthan can be cut. Water for drinking and irrigation is supplied to both the states from Haryana.