Do you know why the Punjab-Haryana water dispute is updating? Cm Bhagwant Mann and Naib Saini warned the war – eSHOP24X7

The long dispute to share the water between Punjab and Haryana has set fire once again. The tension has increased due to the recent cuts in the water supply of the Bhakra Nangal dam. The Haryana government has demanded 8,500 cusecs of water, however, Punjab has rejected the demand that it does not have additional water. Prime Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Punjab government led by the AAM AADMI (AAP) party have already reduced the daily fee of Harkana water from 9,500 Cusecs to 4,000 CUSECs.

Punjab faces the water crisis in itself: cm mann

Defending this controversial step, CM Mann insisted that Punjab himself faces the water crisis. He said that the Annual Punjab water account begins from May 21 each year and emphasized that Haryana has already used its assignment for the current cycle.

We do not have a single additional fall mann

Mann has also emphasized the critical condition of the main deposits that supply water to the region. According to him, the Ranjit Sagar dam is 39 feet below the level of the previous year, while the Pong dam is 24 feet below. Underlining the seriousness of the shortage of water in Punjab, he said: “We do not have a single additional fall.”

CM Saini told Mann’s comment to deceive

However, Haryana’s government does not accept this explanation when Prime Minister Naib Singh Saini strongly reacted to Mann’s comments, calling him deceptive and accused of Punjab to violate the old interstate agreement to share water. The war between the two main ministers has once again revealed the complex theme of the water dispute of the Interestatal River.

Punjab cm Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Cm Naib Singh Saini

Controversy that revolves around the Sutlej-Yamuna link

The dispute revolves mainly around the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (Syl) channel, a proposed infrastructure. Its purpose is to facilitate the same distribution of river water between the two states. However, the channel is incomplete even after decades of its establishment and the dispute is in political tension and public feelings.

How did the water dispute originate?

The roots of the fight of this water dispute have been rooted since 1966, when Haryana separated from Punjab. As part of the reorganization, Haryana was promised to give part of the water of the Ravi and Beas rivers, which flowed mainly through Punjab. The Sil channel is expected to transport water from the Punjab region to implement it.

Cannot release water without affecting agriculture: honor

However, Punjab has constantly opposed the movement citing water scarcity and said that it cannot release much water without affecting its own agriculture. In recent years, Punjab argued that its groundwater resources have been highly exploited and would be unbalanced.

What is the Indo Water Treaty?

According to the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960, India received special rights on the water from the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers. In 1981, a tripartite agreement included Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan for the Bhakra Management Board (BBMB). Divided available water resources. According to this agreement, the estimated pure surplus of Ravi-Beas water was estimated at 17.17 million acres (MAF). In this, Rajasthan was assigned 8.60 MAF, 4.22 MAF to Punjab and 3.50 MAF to Haryana.

Historical history of the water dispute

Syl Channel: Reason for a long controversy

To ensure that the Haryana part effectively reached Haryana, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched an important project known as the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (Syl) channel. The channel, which extends 214 km, will be 122 km in Punjab and 92 km in Haryana. This channel soon became the object of political dispute. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) opposed construction, which led to the ‘Kapuri Morcha’ protest movement.

Signature in 1985

In an attempt to reduce tension, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed a 1985 historical agreement with the then president of Akali Dal, Harchand Singh Longowal, promising the formation of a court to revalue the distribution of water. As a result, the Araudi Court was formed under the presidency of the Judge of the Supreme Court V Balakrishna Araudi. By 1987, the Court recommended the actions reviewed. He proposed 5 MAF for Punjab and 3.83 MAF for Haryana.

Haryana accused Punjab of violation of the agreement

Despite these arrangements, the channel is incomplete and the distribution of water remains a controversial issue. Until recently, Punjab was supplying 9,500 cusecs of water daily to Haryana. However, 4,000 Cusecs were reduced. Punjab cited low levels of the reservoir and the end of Haryana’s annual fee. This sudden cut has increased stress again. Haryana has accused Punjab of violating the established agreement.