Former CM Channi criticizes Centre over Punjab water dispute

New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): Congress MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has strongly criticised the Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government over the ongoing row regarding the release of water from the Bhakra dam to Haryana.

Targeting the AAP government in Punjab Channi alleged that state government was "wrongfully releasing excess water" from the dam and also accused Centre of plotting to "destabilize" Punjab.

"...Our Punjab Government is doing wrong in releasing excess water. Central Government is raising this issue all of a sudden without any reason and attempt is being made to release excess water. Release of excess water is an attempt to cause issues in Punjab. Central Government wants to bring back the same situation in Punjab that it faced earlier, so that they can impose President's Rule there," he said.

Channi claimed that a "nexus" is working to push Punjab towards destruction.

"The AAP Government their functions under Arvind Kejriwal. He is from Haryana. Our CM is crouching. There is a nexus which is doing all of these and pushing Punjab towards destruction. We do not have even a drop of drinking water, our water level has dropped drastically...So, how can we give them water? We do not have water," added Channi highlighting Punjab's severe water shortage.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini slammed his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, over remarks made during the ongoing water-sharing dispute between the two states.

On May 1, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwan Mann raised concerns over the decreasing water level in key reservoirs. He mentioned that the water levels in Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Ranjit Sagar Dam are 32 feet, 12 feet, and 14 feet below last year's levels, respectively. Haryana CM Saini said no one should talk like this, as everyone's life depends on water.

Saini called Mann's comments "unfortunate," urging leaders to avoid politicising water issues that impact lives across state lines.

"One should not talk like this because a person's life depends on water. It is not that we do not have even a drop of water; I request everyone not to do politics. This is unfortunate because this type of politics does not last long. It harms the state, and oneself as well", Saini told ANI.

Notably, tensions escalated after the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) directed Punjab to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. CM Mann strongly opposed the directive, stating that Punjab is already grappling with its own water needs due to the upcoming paddy sowing season and declining groundwater levels. (ANI)