A special session of the Punjab Assembly was held on Monday over the ongoing water dispute with Haryana. CM Mann had called for a special Assembly Session after he got the support of all political parties, including the BJP Punjab Chief Sunil Jakhar, over the water dispute. Jakhar extended his support to CM Mann and also expressed that the Punjab Government should approach PM Modi to find a resolution over this. During the special session, 6 resolutions were reportedly passed in the assembly.
During the session that lasted for about 5 hours, all the parties opposed giving water to Haryana. CM Bhagwant Mann said that we are giving this water to Haryana right now, but it will not be available in the future. On CM Naib Saini's allegation that water is going to Pakistan due to stopping Haryana's water, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that not even a drop of water is going to Pakistan. There were a total of 6 resolutions passed in the Punjab Assembly-
- Punjab will not give even a drop of water to Haryana from its share. The provision of 4,000 cusecs of water being given on humanitarian grounds will be continued.
- BBMB has become a puppet of the central government. Punjab's concerns are neither heard in meetings nor are its rights being respected. The board should be reconstituted.
- The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers flow only through Punjab. At the time of the 1981 water agreement, the rivers had more water than they do today. A new treaty should be formed for the distribution of water from these rivers.
- There are set rules for calling BBMB meetings. However, the board is not following the law and is calling meetings at night through illegal means. The assembly directs that BBMB must follow the rules.
- The amount of water to be given to which state from the Bhakra Dam is mentioned in the 1981 water agreement. BBMB has no authority to alter this. If BBMB takes any decision on its own, it will be unconstitutional. BBMB should restrain itself from making such decisions.
- The central government should withdraw the Dam Safety Act, 2021. The Punjab government does not accept this act.
What did Punjab CM say during the special session?
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that we are extracting water with the same motors with which oil is extracted in Saudi Arabia. Now hot water is coming from below. When our government took oath, at that time 22% canal water was being used. Now canal water is being used in more than 60% area. We are suffering the consequences of the mistakes of the previous governments.
"We are not usurping anyone's right. Punjab has given data on water use from 2015 to 2025. These things of ours have spoiled their habits. Haryana has always used more water than the set limit," added CM Mann.
CM Mann further said that we have written 6 letters to Haryana for water in the last 6 months and given them reminders, but they did not listen. There is 33 feet less water in Pong Dam. The same is the situation with the other 2 dams. Still, on a humanitarian basis, we are giving 4 thousand cusecs of water, but instead of thanking us, they changed the chairman of BBMB overnight and took away the water. He said that in the meeting of the BBMB, Haryana and Rajasthan voted against Punjab, but Punjab abstained. The Himachal government remained silent. Keeping quiet is also like being involved in crime.
CM Bhagwant Mann also pointed that BBMB is related to Ravi, Sutlej, Beas and Bhakra. Haryana and Rajasthan have a part in it, but which part of these two is connected to Punjab. BBMB is a white elephant. Punjab bears all its expenses. Officers from Haryana and Rajasthan go there. Punjab pays their salary. In such a situation, BBMB should be abolished.
The CM further added that when we don't have water then from where will we give water. Now officers are being changed. Now Himachal officer has been put on duty to open the gate one hour earlier. Still the central people are not leaving.
On allegations of water being sent to Pakistan
CM said that we will not give water to Haryana. They say water goes to Pakistan. I have data, which clearly shows that not even a drop of water goes there. There are 15 days left until 21st May. Water will be released at 12 o'clock on the night of 20th May.