Previous regimes let other states use Punjab’s quota: AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers on Wednesday alleged that previous Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) regimes “never cared for Punjab’s interests” and allowed neighbouring states to use river water from its quota.

Punjab Cabinet ministers, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Laljit Singh Bhullar and Harbhajan Singh ETO, levelled the allegation while taking part in a protest here against the BBMB decision to release extra water to Haryana.

Dhaliwal alleged that previous SAD and Congress governments in Punjab “never cared for the misuse of Punjab’s share”. “SAD leaders never objected to the allotment of Punjab’s share of water to Haryana as they had their farmhouses in Haryana and river water was being supplied there directly through canals,” he alleged.

Goyal accused the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) of “bullying” Punjab and releasing water to Haryana from the state’s share. He claimed that the board relented following a tough stance taken by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the issue.

Laljit Bhullar alleged that previous Congress and SAD governments had succumbed to the pressure from the Centre and signed water-sharing agreements that were against the state’s interest. The AAP government would “now seek a review of the water-sharing agreements with other states”, he added.

Harbhajan Singh ETO said his government would not allow the BBMB to release Punjab’s share of water to other states.