Punjab Water Dues Rajasthan issue escalates as CM Bhagwant Mann demands ₹1.44 lakh crore from Rajasthan or halt water supply, seeks review of 1920 agreement.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken a strong stand on the long-pending water payment dispute, asserting that the Rajasthan government must clear ₹1.44 lakh crore in outstanding dues or stop drawing water from Punjab. The issue, now gaining national attention, has been framed under the broader concern of Punjab water dues Rajasthan, which the state government aims to resolve firmly.
Punjab Water Dues Rajasthan Dispute Explained
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister stated that Rajasthan has been continuously drawing water through the Ferozepur Feeder since 1960 without making any payments. He emphasized that under the Punjab water dues Rajasthan issue, the state is entitled to compensation based on earlier agreements.
According to him, Rajasthan continues to utilize nearly 18,000 cusecs of water, yet has not paid a single rupee for decades.
1920 Agreement at the Center of Controversy
CM Mann highlighted that a historic agreement signed in the 1920s between erstwhile Punjab and Bikaner mandated payment for water usage on a per-acre basis. Payments were made until 1960, after which they abruptly stopped.
He pointed out that Rajasthan still benefits from the same agreement for water supply but avoids payment by citing a later arrangement made in 1960. This contradiction forms the core of the Punjab water dues Rajasthan dispute.
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Call for Review of Historic Agreement
The Punjab government is now pushing for a formal review of the 1920 agreement. The Chief Minister noted that the agreement required revision every 25 years, but previous governments failed to act on it.
He stressed that revisiting the agreement is essential to resolve the Punjab water dues Rajasthan matter and ensure justice for the state.
Punjab Writes to Rajasthan, Seeks Dialogue
CM Mann confirmed that the Punjab government has formally written to the Rajasthan government requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. The matter has also been raised with the Union Government.
He reiterated that Punjab water dues Rajasthan is not just a financial issue but also a matter of the state’s rights over its natural resources.
Strong Warning from Punjab Government
Taking a firm position, the Chief Minister said that Punjab will pursue all possible avenues to recover its dues. “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Punjab gets what it rightfully deserves,” he asserted.
He also made it clear that if Rajasthan fails to release the dues, it should reconsider drawing water from Punjab under the current arrangement.
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