Punjab CM slams BBMB decision to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday strongly opposed the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) decision to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, calling it a “dacoity” on Punjab’s rights.

The decision was taken during a five-hour-long meeting of the BBMB’s technical committee held on Wednesday evening.

Sources said officials from the Punjab government strongly objected to the move during the meeting, arguing that Haryana had already utilised its allocated share of water.

Reacting to the development, Mann said, “The whole of Punjab strongly opposes the decision of the BBMB to give water to Haryana, which is the right of Punjab and Punjabis.”

He blamed the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Haryana for what he called an unjustified decision.