Punjab Skips BBMB Meeting Over Water Dispute with Haryana
The ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana has taken another turn, with Punjab deciding not to participate in a meeting convened by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to discuss water allocation. This decision comes a day after Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan advised the Punjab Government regarding water release from the Bhakra dam.
The meeting, which was scheduled to start at 5 pm today, was intended to resolve the long-standing dispute between the two states over the sharing of river waters. However, in a letter sent to BBMB earlier today, Punjab government requested a postponement of the meeting, citing its inability to participate in the discussion without a clear understanding of the Centre’s stance on the issue.
The Punjab government’s decision to skip the meeting is seen as a significant development in the ongoing water dispute between the two states. The dispute has been simmering for years, with both states accusing each other of not adhering to the water-sharing agreement.
The Bhakra Beas Management Board, which was set up in 1985 to manage and allocate the waters of the Bhakra and Beas rivers, has been trying to resolve the dispute through dialogue. However, the Punjab government has been insisting that the Centre must intervene to resolve the issue.
The Punjab government has been demanding that the Centre should allow it to release more water from the Bhakra dam to meet the needs of its farmers. However, the Centre has been advising Punjab to adhere to the water-sharing agreement, which allocates 50% of the water to Punjab and 25% each to Haryana and Rajasthan.
The Punjab government has been arguing that the Centre’s advice is not based on scientific data and that it is not taking into account the changing climate and the growing needs of its farmers. The Centre, on the other hand, has been insisting that the water-sharing agreement is based on the principle of equity and that it cannot be altered without the consent of all the parties involved.
The ongoing water dispute has been causing tension between the two states, with farmers in Punjab accusing Haryana of not releasing its share of water to Punjab. The Punjab government has also been accusing the Centre of not taking a fair view of the dispute.
The decision of the Punjab government to skip the BBMB meeting is likely to add to the tension between the two states. The meeting was seen as an opportunity to resolve the dispute through dialogue, but now it seems that the dispute will continue to simmer.
The water dispute between Punjab and Haryana is not new, and it has been a contentious issue for decades. The two states have been at loggerheads over the sharing of river waters, with each state accusing the other of not adhering to the water-sharing agreement.
In 2016, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Centre to ensure that the water-sharing agreement was implemented in letter and spirit. However, despite several attempts to resolve the dispute, the issue remains unresolved.
The Punjab government has been seeking the intervention of the Centre to resolve the dispute, but the Centre has been advising Punjab to adhere to the water-sharing agreement. The Punjab government has been arguing that the Centre’s advice is not based on scientific data and that it is not taking into account the changing climate and the growing needs of its farmers.
The water dispute between Punjab and Haryana is not just a matter of territorial dispute, but also has significant implications for the economy of the two states. The agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the economy of both states, and any disruption in the water supply can have a significant impact on the economy.
In conclusion, the decision of the Punjab government to skip the BBMB meeting is a significant development in the ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana. The dispute has been simmering for years, and it seems that it will continue to simmer until a solution is found.
Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-skips-bbmb-meeting-over-water-dispute-with-haryana/
