Punjab cites violation of 1976 regulations; objects to Centre’s urgency over 8,500 cusecs additional release to Haryana
Chandigarh, May 3, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): The Punjab government has refused to participate in today’s (Saturday) crucial meeting of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), convened to operationalise the Centre’s directive to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. The move has triggered a fresh round of tension over inter-state river water sharing, with Punjab asserting its riparian rights and calling the meeting procedurally illegal.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the BBMB Chairman, the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Punjab, demanded that the meeting scheduled for May 3 be postponed. The state has argued that under Regulation 3 of the BBMB Regulations-1976, a minimum of seven days’ notice is mandatory before convening a Board meeting. The Punjab government has accused the Board of repeatedly flouting this rule in recent days.
“It is submitted that the Board had earlier issued a notice on April 27, 2025, for a meeting on April 28, and then another notice on April 29 for a meeting on April 30, both held without adherence to the statutory notice period. The decisions taken therein are not legally tenable,” the letter reads.
The fresh BBMB meeting was hastily summoned following instructions from the Union Home Secretary during a high-level meeting in Delhi on May 2, aimed at facilitating the increased water release to Haryana ahead of peak summer demand. However, Punjab has questioned both the timing and the legal sanctity of the Board’s actions.
“Calling such a sensitive meeting without fulfilling the legal requirements erodes the federal spirit and infringes upon Punjab’s rights as a riparian state,” said a senior official from the Water Resources Department, requesting anonymity.
Water sharing between Punjab and Haryana, particularly from the Bhakhra Dam, has long been a contentious issue. Punjab, being the upper riparian state, has consistently opposed additional allocations to Haryana and Rajasthan without comprehensive consultations, citing already over-stressed water resources and depleting groundwater levels.
While Haryana maintains its longstanding demand for its “rightful share” of river waters, Punjab argues that no quantum of water can be allocated without a reassessment of availability, especially in view of environmental and agrarian concerns in the state. As of now, with Punjab boycotting today’s BBMB meeting and questioning its legality, any decisions made by the Board could face challenges, both administrative and judicial.
