Hoshiarpur- Lok Sabha member Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal has termed the Bhakra Beas Management Board's decision to immediately release 8500 cusecs of additional water of Punjab's share to the neighbouring state Haryana from the Bhakra Dam despite strong opposition from the Punjab government as a setback for Punjab and a deep conspiracy against Punjabis.
Lok Sabha member Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal termed the Bhakra Beas Management Board's decision as robbery of Punjab's water and said that on this serious issue directly related to the rights of the state, all political parties including BJP should stand in the interest of Punjab so that this nefarious conspiracy to attack the federal structure can be foiled.
He said that according to the data of a few days ago, the water level in Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam was recorded to be low, while on the other hand how can Haryana's demand of 8500 cusecs of additional water be met. He said that the crisis of shortage of clean drinking water in Punjab is already deepening every year and on the other hand due to the reduced flow of water in the rivers, it has also become difficult to meet the water needs of the state.
He said that twisting the arm of Punjab by the BJP government at the Center to illegally give water to Haryana is a direct attack on the sovereignty of the states which is intolerable. Referring to the upcoming paddy season, MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has already said that Punjab has less water than its needs and Haryana, which has so far taken more water than its share, cannot be given more water.
He said that the rights of Punjab have been badly ignored by the Punjab Government by calling the board meeting of BBMB and passing the resolution illegally, but the Punjab Government will not allow the rights of the state to be snatched away. He said that at this time all the parties should come together to protect the rights of Punjab by setting aside petty political interests.