All-party meeting passes resolution, seeks 'unconditional' release of water by Punjab

Seeking "unconditional" release of drinking water, the all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini here today passed a resolution, stating that Punjab's decision to deny drinking water to Haryana was "unconstitutional, inhuman, illegal and an attack on the federal structure". He claimed that Haryana was receiving 17% less than what was due to it.

Addressing the media after the meeting — attended by the state chiefs of seven parties and their senior leaders — Saini said Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was being confrontational, while Haryana was exercising restraint and only appealing for what rightfully belonged to it.

Stating that all options were available with the government, he said, "If the Punjab Government remains adamant, Haryana will not shy away from protecting its interests and taking legal recourse. We are watching the developments in Punjab, which has called a session of the Vidhan Sabha. We will take a call on how to proceed after their session."

The leaders pledged to stand by the state government and passed a unanimous resolution, appealing to the Punjab Government to unconditionally implement the decisions of the BBMB’s Technical Committee. "The Punjab Government should implement, without conditions, the decisions of the BBMB Technical Committee dated April 23, 2025, and of the BBMB board dated April 30, 2025," the resolution said.

Criticising the Punjab Government, Saini said after refusing to construct the SYL Canal and effectively seizing irrigation water, Punjab was now engaging in an unconstitutional act by obstructing drinking water meant for Haryana.

Invoking the teachings of the Gurus, Saini, in a bid to strike an emotional chord, said Mann's actions were not in keeping with their emphasis on sharing. "We welcome even strangers by offering them water," Saini said.

Maintaining that the water Punjab was holding back was national property, he asked why giving water to Haryana had become a problem. The CM also shared data on low dam levels in the past (as in 2016 through 2019), when Haryana received its share without dispute. "Ironically, the current water level is higher than in those years, yet, Haryana is being denied even its minimal requirement. In 2019, when the water level was 1,623 feet, 0.553 MAF of water had to be discharged as excess. This shows that water must be released from the dam to make space for monsoon rainwater. Each year, about 8,500 cusecs is typically received," he said.

Saini shared that on April 26, he had informed Mann over the phone that the BBMB’s Technical Committee had, on April 23, decided to release water to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. However, Punjab’s officials were not implementing it. "Mann assured me that he would direct his officers to comply immediately. When nothing was done by 2 pm on April 27, I even wrote a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister, apprising him of the facts. Shockingly, my letter went unanswered for 48 hours. Instead, the Chief Minister released a video for political gains, disregarding the facts and misleading the public," Saini claimed.

The CM shared that Haryana's total allocated water share was 12.55 MAF, but it was receiving only 10.67 MAF. Punjab's allocation was 14.67 MAF, yet, it was using 17.15 MAF. This clearly showed  that it was using far more water than its share, while Haryana was getting 17% less, he informed.

"In 2022, 2023 and 2024, nothing less than 9,000 cusecs was given to the Haryana Contact Point in April and May. The water that comes from the dam in May is used by Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan only for drinking. For many years — of the water coming to Haryana — 800 cusecs go to Rajasthan, 400 cusecs to Punjab, and 500 cusecs to Delhi. If we talk about the last three years, in May 2022, Haryana got an average of 9,780 cusecs, in May 2023, 9,633 cusecs, and in May 2024, 10,062 cusecs," he explained.

Saini said earlier Punjab had no objection to the water going to Delhi. "After the Delhi poll results, it seems that the Punjab Government is doing all this to extract revenge from people of Delhi," he alleged.

Earlier, despite the Supreme Court giving orders in favour of Haryana on the SYL issue, the Mann government was on the path of confrontation instead of cooperation, the CM stated. It was not only contempt of judiciary, but also a violation of federal dignity and inter-state harmony. "Mann saheb is creating obstacles in water sharing, while Haryana is not asking for any additional water, it is only demanding its predetermined share," said Saini.

State Cabinet ministers Anil Vij, Ranbir Gangwa, Shyam Singh Rana, Shruti Choudhry, BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress state president Udai Bhan, INLD state president Rampal Majra, MLA Aditya Devilal, former Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala, former MLA Amarjeet Dhanda, Sushil Gupta, Krishan Jamalpur (BSP) and Omprakash (CPM) were among those who attended the meeting.

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi gave a detailed presentation regarding the data on water distribution during the past 10 years. Later, all leaders expressed concern over the emerging crisis and described Punjab's act as unconstitutional.

 'SYL canal only solution: Hooda'

“Haryana has been receiving the same amount of water every year. Allocation is determined based on the dam’s level. The water-filling period officially begins on May 21. As of now, the level is around 1,555 ft. In the past, when the level was even lower, Haryana received its full share. The minimum operational level of the dam is about 1,500 ft. The only solution to this dispute lies in the construction of the SYL canal. All parties are united on the issue, we stand together with CM Saini.

— Bhupinder Singh Hooda, senior Congress leader

'Political stunt by Mann'

"It is a political stunt. Several water pacts have been signed, but all of them have been rejected by Punjab. The Supreme Court's decisions on SYL have not been implemented. We criticise the way the police have been deployed at the Bhakra Dam. The Punjab CM is denying water to teach a lesson to people of Haryana and Delhi for not voting for the AAP. We will hold a district-level protest in Haryana on May 5, 6 and 7, after which we will decide our strategy."

— Rampal Majra, INLD state president

'Have more state officers in BBMB'

"The JJP is with the Haryana Government. The government should make permanent arrangements to take its share of water by increasing the number of Haryana officers in the BBMB. The Punjab Government should not indulge in politics over drinking water. The Centre should deploy paramilitary forces at the dam and provide full water to Haryana. It is a pity that Punjab takes more water than its share every year and questions Haryana's legitimate right."

—Dushyant Chautala, former Deputy CM

'PM should resolve issue'

"We extend our full support to the Haryana Government. A meeting should soon be fixed with the Prime Minister to resolve the issue. The Aam Aadmi Party has consistently supported the interests of Haryana, and on the issue of water, we firmly stand with the Haryana Government and its people. After the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, the extra waters should be diverted to Haryana."

— Sushil Gupta, AAP state president