Punjab Assembly holds special session over Bhakra Canal water dispute with Haryana

Chandigarh: Amid the escalating dispute over Bhakra Canal water sharing, a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly was held on Monday. The session began with tributes to those killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

A resolution was expected to be passed in the House opposing the release of Punjab’s water to Haryana. The Assembly also planned to move a censure motion against the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the BJP.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing the House, asserted that while Punjab has supplied water so far, it will not do so in the future. In response to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini’s remarks, Mann clarified that “not a single drop of water is going to Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard a petition filed by BBMB. During the hearing, Haryana’s Advocate General claimed that over 200 water supply units in the state had dried up due to Punjab halting water flow.

However, Punjab argued that it has already provided Haryana its due share and cannot offer more, citing the state’s own agricultural needs, including ongoing paddy cultivation. The court is scheduled to hear the matter again on Monday.