Congress Member of Parliament Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Central government, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, of creating a severe water crisis in Haryana. Surjewala’s comments came after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused to release more water to Haryana, saying Punjab had used up it’s share for the season.
Speaking at a press conference here, Surjewala lashed out at both governments, saying, “The Modi-led government in the Centre and the Punjab government have pushed Haryana into a water crisis! The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) falls under the Electricity Minister, so why is Khattar ji not investigating it? Haryana is reeling under a major water shortage. The supply from Bhakra Dam has been reduced from 8,500 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs. This is the biggest water crisis since the formation of the state in 1966.”
Surjewala targeted Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, accusing both of mishandling the situation. “Bhagwant Mann and Nayab Singh Saini are only playing a game of statements and exchanging love letters. Power has gone to Bhagwant Mann’s head, while Saini has no idea what’s going on,” he said.
Mann’s refusal to release more water has drawn criticism from the BJP leaders as well. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, in a post on X, said, “When the nation stands united against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, CM Bhagwant Mann chooses to divide states over water. Not a single drop of Punjab’s water will be given away — but this is no time for political posturing.”
Earlier in the day, Haryana CM Saini hit back at Mann, accusing him of trying to “politicise” the issue. He also claimed that Haryana had received only 60 per cent of its water share. “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 per cent 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 per cent of Bhakra Dam’s water reservoir…” Saini said.
