Row escalates as Centre advises Punjab to release 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana for eight days, Pg1

• The Centre has directed Punjab to release 4,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana for eight days to meet emergency water needs.

• The decision was taken under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary and involves coordinated actions by Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan officials.

• Punjab government has opposed the move, calling it high-handed and politically motivated.

• BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) will provide Punjab equivalent water during the dam filling period to offset the release.

What is the Bhakra Beas Management Issue?

• The BBMB regulates water distribution from major dams like Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

• The recent decision instructs Punjab to release 4,500 cusecs to Haryana to tackle its urgent irrigation and drinking water needs.

Punjab’s Concerns

• Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann opposed the Centre’s directive, calling it “high-handedness” and unconstitutional.

• Claimed Punjab already received 9.3% more than its entitled share in 2024, while Haryana received only 0.198% less.

• Over the last 20 years, Punjab reportedly received 22.44% more, while Haryana got 7.67% less than its share.

• Punjab plans to convene a special assembly session on May 5 to protest.

Haryana’s Response

• Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called an all-party meeting to discuss Punjab's refusal.

• Haryana’s Water Resources Minister argued Punjab's claim of Haryana exhausting its share in March is incorrect.

• Asserts Haryana’s legitimate share must be protected under constitutional provisions.

Legal and Institutional Context

• The matter could reach the Supreme Court under provisions for inter-state water disputes.

• The dispute is governed by the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act and BBMB’s institutional framework.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Cusec: A unit of flow rate equal to one cubic foot per second.

• Dam Water Management: Includes pre-monsoon filling strategies and equitable distribution among states.

Significance:

• This reflects growing stress on inter-state water sharing, especially in agriculturally intensive regions like Punjab and Haryana.

• Has implications for federal relations, resource allocation equity, and climate resilience in water-scarce periods.

Mains Mock Question:

"Discuss the legal and administrative mechanisms for resolving inter-state river water disputes in India. Critically evaluate the role of the Centre and BBMB in the Punjab-Haryana water-sharing conflict."