State flagged ‘use of extra water’ by Haryana, Rajasthan multiple times

Much before the river water-sharing issue triggered a major political row, Punjab’s Water Resources Department had written multiple times to the Centre and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) over the “drawing of more water” than their allocated share by neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan.

Earlier, Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu had said that Punjab “remained silent” over Haryana’s repeated demand for extra water from the Bhakra Dam.

Countering it, Officials said since January last year, Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar had written several letters the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Union Ministry of Power over the drawing of extra water by the neighbouring states.

Each year, the water allocation to the states is decided twice — in the depletion period (between September 21- May 20) and in the filling period (May 21- September 20).

Documents accessed by The Tribune revealed that on January 8, 2024, the department wrote to the BBMB Secretary that for the depletion period, Rajasthan and Haryana had already utilised 70 per cent and 48 per cent of their share, respectively.

It was said that though Punjab had been liberal in accepting the request of the states in the past, Haryana and Rajasthan had been exceeding their given quota.

The BBMB had been repeatedly requested to advise the two states to plan their utilisation of water in the given quota, according to an official. On March 24 this year, the Principal Secretary wrote to the BBMB Chairman, pointing out that as per the agenda note of the technical committee meeting, the allocated share of Rajasthan at Harike was 1,135 cusecs, while that of Haryana at headworks control points was only 1,421 cusecs.

During the technical committee meeting held on March 20, both states demanded over and above their allotted share, to which Punjab disagreed.

The BBMB still went ahead and allocated 3,545 cusecs to Rajasthan and 6,000 cusecs to Haryana. This was over and above their allotted share.

Punjab pointed out that due to poor planning by both states, they over-utilised their water share and the availability of water in dams was very less when compared with the previous years. It pointed out that Punjab had adhered to its allocation through proper planning, taking into account low water levels in dams.

The BBMB has been accused by Punjab of approving the increased demand raised by other partner states without taking into consideration the shortage of water.

Even during the current depletion period, Rajasthan and Haryana have drawn 8 per cent and 0.1 per cent more than their share, respectively, the state said.

“It is very clear that water available in dams as on date belongs to Punjab only and the BBMB has no right to release the water from one state to other without permission from the concerned state,” read the communication sent to the BBMB on March 26, adding that the state has already cautioned the BBMB that in case water was not released to farmers in April and May, there may be a law and order situation.

Punjab