The Bhagwant Mann government has written to the governments of Rajasthan and Haryana seeking payment of what it describes as outstanding dues for the use of Punjab’s water resources.
Bhagwant Mann Government Sends Notices to Rajasthan and Haryana
Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal shared details of the letters, according to a post by the Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit.
The Punjab government alleged that Rajasthan stopped making payments for Punjab’s water after 1961, attributing the situation to the alleged failure or complicity of successive governments. The state government has reportedly issued a notice to Rajasthan seeking ₹1.83 lakh crore in outstanding dues.
Notices to Rajasthan and Haryana Over Water Dues
The Punjab government has also sent a letter to Haryana, alleging that payments due to Punjab were stopped after 2015-16.
Goyal also raised concerns over the distribution of the burden caused by floods. He argued that Punjab has to bear the losses caused by floods on its own, while neighbouring states continue to assert their rights over Punjab’s water resources.
The latest move is likely to add to the ongoing political and inter-state debate over water sharing, financial liabilities and Punjab’s rights over its river waters.
