Haryana to get water only as per legally fixed schedule: Mann

Chandigarh: Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said that Punjab would "firmly safeguard its water rights at every cost" and Haryana would receive water strictly according to its "legally scheduled quota and not before the stipulated timeline".Referring to the Bhakra water-sharing issue and recent remarks made by Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Mann said, "Punjab will not compromise on its water rights under any pressure."He said water was an emotional, economic and agricultural lifeline for Punjab and the state govt was fully committed to saving the waters of the state and protecting the interests of farmers and rural communities dependent on agriculture.Reiterating Punjab's position, the CM said, "Punjab has no spare water to share with any other state."On Friday, at an event in Panchkula celebrating the 50 years of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Khattar commended the board for its vital role in nation-building and its five-decade commitment to public welfare.Referring to the earlier practice where the post of the member (power) in the BBMB was held by an officer from Punjab and the post of the member (irrigation) by an officer from Haryana, Khattar said this was previously only a tradition, but now it has been formalised in writing that preference will be given to candidates from Punjab and Haryana for these posts.MSID:: 131137693 413 |