CM REITERATES CLAIM ON CHANDIGARH, PANJAB UNIVERSITY, RIVER WATERS BEFORE UNION HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH
Faridabad (Haryana), November 17: Punjab Chief Minister (CM ) Bhagwant Singh Mann vehemently reiterated claim over Chandigarh, Panjab University, river waters besides advocating genuine federal structure in the country before the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the 32ndmeeting of the Northern Zonal Council held here Monday.
Flagging the issues, the Chief Minister said that the Indian Constitution clearly demarcated areas in which the Union and the States have to function to exercise their respective authority. He said that Federalism remains one of the basic pillars of our Constitution but unfortunately, there has been a trend towards centralization of authority during the past 75 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that the state governments, being at the cutting edge, are in a much better position to understand, address and solve the problems of their people.
Punjab Reasserts Claim Over Chandigarh : CM
Vehemently pleading for handing over Chandigarh to the state of Punjab, the Chief Minister said that after the reorganization of the state Indira Gandhi Agreement of 1970 explicitly stated that “the capital project area of Chandigarh will, as a whole, go to Punjab, which was a clear commitment from the Central Government. He mentioned that the Rajiv-Longowal Accord was signed on July 24th, 1985. It was between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. This Accord explicitly reaffirmed that Chandigarh will be transferred to Punjab. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that despite all promises Chandigarh was not transferred to Punjab which has bruised the psyche of every Punjabi.
ASSERTS TERMINATION OF INDUS WATER TREATY MUST BE USED AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE WATER-RELATED ISSUES AMONGST NZCC STATES
The Chief Minister said that another linked issue is the posting of Punjab Cadre officers to the post of General Manager FCI (Punjab). He said the Government of India should not disturb the established practice of posting an IAS officer from the Punjab Cadre to the Regional Office of the FCI, especially given Punjab’s consistently highest contribution to the Central pool. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that although IAS officers from the Punjab Cadre have held the post of MD CITCO in the past, the administration is now posting UT state service officers to this position, violating the convention in the UT of Chandigarh that requires a 60:40 ratio for personnel intake from Punjab and Haryana.
In the wake of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, the Chief Minister said that there is a great opportunity for the resolution of water-related issues concerning the states being represented here. He said that there is a possibility of linking the Chenab river to the rivers Ravi and Beas, over which we already have dams regulating the water flow downstream. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that linking the Chenab River with the Ravi and Beas Rivers would allow the downstream states, including Punjab, to utilize the surplus water inflow for power generation and irrigation. He added that the additional water would also help Punjab overcome its water shortfall, particularly in the border areas.
FORCEFULLY OPPOSES THE PROPOSAL TO APPOINT A WHOLE-TIME MEMBER IN BBMB FROM RAJASTHAN : CM
Raising the issue of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the Chief Minister forcefully opposed the proposal to appoint a whole-time Member in BBMB from Rajasthan as the board is a body constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which concerns only the successor states of Punjab and Haryana. He said that Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are already represented as ex-officio members, and creating additional whole-time posts will only increase expenditure most of which is borne by Punjab without serving any useful purpose. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has already submitted a panel for appointment of Members and the Government of India should continue with the original arrangement of one Member each from Punjab and Haryana.
CM OPPOSES ANY PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE FRLS OF BHAKRA AND PONG DAMS
The CM also strongly opposed any proposal to raise the Full Reservoir Levels (FRLs) of Bhakra and Pong dams. After the catastrophic 1988 floods, he said that the FRLs were reduced in the interest of protecting lives and property in Punjab, the only state affected by these floodwaters. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the severe floods of years 2019, 2023 and 2025 have reconfirmed that present FRLs must be maintained.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab suffered massive losses of nearly Rs.13,500 crore last year while Rajasthan faced no impact and has itself stated that it cannot take any additional water during floods. He said that with increasing siltation and signs of structural stress, raising the FRLs will compel emergency releases, endangering downstream habitations in Punjab. Thus, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the correct solution is therefore desiltation, not elevation of FRLs, and Punjab urges that BBMB be directed to maintain the current levels as the state has been suffering huge losses due to floods during the last so many years. It is therefore imperative that the partner states also share the loss in the same ratio as they share the water during the lean seasons, he added.
Reiterating that the State has no surplus water to spare through the SYL, the CM said the Government of India made no scientific calculation of water availability even in 1976 and 1981, when it unilaterally decided the ratio for sharing waters among the States. He said Punjab has disputed the claimed availability of 17.17 MAF since 1981, especially because all international water agreements require assessing water availability every 25 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the 1981 calculation relied on the 1921–1960 flow series, meaning the data was already more than 20 years old.
75% of Punjab’s blocks are over-exploited
The Chief Minister said the availability of Ravi–Beas waters has significantly declined, 75% of Punjab’s blocks are over-exploited, and the matter is under adjudication before the Ravi–Beas Tribunal. He said all proceedings on the SYL should therefore remain in abeyance until the Tribunal delivers its final award. He added that Punjab has already made it clear that future discussions will be possible only after a fresh, scientific reassessment of water availability and only after Punjab’s essential requirements are fully protected. In wake of suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is high time that the Government of India should explore the diversion of water of all western rivers to India in view of the suspension of this Treaty.
The CM said Punjab must keep any decision on distributing the Ravi–Beas waters on hold until the review is completed, because the State cannot accept any step that threatens its agriculture, groundwater security, or long-term sustainability. Bhagwant Singh Mann also opposed transferring control of the Ropar, Harike, and Ferozepur Headworks to the BBMB, stating that these Headworks lie entirely within Punjab and the State has always operated and maintained them. He said no Headworks in India are run by an external agency for another State, and even Haryana operates and maintains HathniKund on the Yamuna.
Punjab Seeks Fair Control of Headworks and Yamuna Waters
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is always at the mercy of BBMB and its bureaucratic controls. He added that Punjab will face huge difficulties in controlling floods if the control of the headworks is also taken away from Punjab. On the allocation of Yamuna waters, he said that if Haryana is the successor to the Ravi-Beas water, then Punjab is the successor to Yamuna waters. He added that while the state shares Ravi–Beas waters with Haryana, Punjab was excluded from the 1994 MoU on Yamuna waters. There was no justification for this exclusion. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the 1954 Agreement was made between undivided Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. This agreement entitled Punjab to two-thirds of Yamuna waters. Additionally, the 1972 Irrigation Commission recognized Punjab as part of the Yamuna basin.
Punjab Seeks Fair Share in Yamuna Projects and Urgent Flood-Relief Support
The Chief Minister said the Center and the respective States must make serious efforts to stop any floodwaters from flowing into the Bay of Bengal through the Yamuna. He demanded that the authorities duly consider Punjab’s claim when they review the MoU after 2025 to ensure fairness and parity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government has already requested the Union Government to include Punjab as a beneficiary in the Yamuna and Sharda–Yamuna Link projects, but the Union Government has not considered the request so far.
Raising the issues to provide financial assistance to carry out flood protection works on the Border Outpost (BOP) of BSF and the Army, the Chief Minister said that the proposal is yet to be approved by the Government of India. He urged the Government of India to release the entire funds without putting any conditions as it was in the interest of national security. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the authorities constructed the Harike Barrage in 1950 to divert water into the Rajasthan Feeder, which serves areas of Rajasthan.
The Chief Minister said that the lack of desilting causes floods in the upstream areas. These areas extend right up to district Kapurthala and Jalandhar. He urged the Union government to assist the State Government both financially as well as in granting the environmental clearances. Bhagwant Singh Mann raised the issue of havoc caused by river Ghaggar. He stated that the river’s width is too small to carry the waters. This occurs in a stretch of about 17 km in district Sangrur from Makror Sahib to Karail.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has been raising this issue for a long time. They have even acquired land in the nearby areas. However, he said that due to the objections raised by Haryana, the cross section has not been widened. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged the Government of India to persuade Haryana to agree to this request.
Haryana ignored Panjab University for the last 50 years
On the issue of Panjab University, the Chief Minister said that the university has a deep connection with the people of Punjab adding that it is only Punjab which has been supporting and nurturing this University for the last 50 years. At this stage, he said that we do not understand why Haryana wants to affiliate its colleges with Panjab University. These colleges have already been affiliated for the last 50 years with Kurukshetra University, an A+ NAAC accredited university. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he does not understand the reason for Haryana seeking this affiliation now. They have ignored Panjab University for the last 50 years.
Panjab University is concerned, Punjab has always financially supported this University
The Chief Minister said that as far as funding of Panjab University is concerned, Punjab has always financially supported this University. He emphasized that Punjab’s financial support has consistently been provided to Panjab University. Punjab remains committed to continuing this support in the future and will do so through a mutually consultative process. He stated that the Centre’s recent attempts to restructure the university’s governance interfere with Punjab’s rights and threaten its state identity and autonomy. Bhagwant Singh Mann cautioned that Panjab University is not just an academic institution. It forms an integral part of Punjabi identity. He urged for the restoration of democratic processes, including the announcement of elections for the original 91-member Senate.
The Chief Minister flagged another important issue regarding the smuggling of weapons from within the country. He said that these weapons are posing a grave threat to law and order in the state. He expressed concern over the number of weapons smuggled from within the country. This is especially true from states like Madhya Pradesh. This number is much more than those smuggled from across the border. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they need to address this issue firmly. It is crucial for the larger interest of national security.
Punjab as an agriculture-oriented state for decades; CM
The Chief Minister raised the legitimate concerns of the state. He reiterated that the success of a federal set-up lies in the equitable prosperity of its states. These states are not merely constituents but partners in progress. He said that Water is the elixir of life. It has been the driver of growth in Punjab as an agriculture-oriented state for decades. It still is. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that protection of our waters is tantamount to protection of the people of Punjab. The Punjabi Diaspora has been contributing to progress across the states of our nation. Most importantly, they help protect our vulnerable borders.
Punjab government has introduced significant initiatives : CM
The Chief Minister stated that the Punjab government has introduced significant initiatives. These efforts aim to improve the welfare of its people. They have been implemented over the last more than three years. He added that Punjab has become the first state in India to guarantee every family free electricity. Moreover, the state provides free healthcare, free education, and free bus travel for women. He said that the state government set a deadline of 45 days. Despite this, it has disbursed flood compensation worth Rs 20,000 per acre. This is the highest in the country. It was given to the farmers within 30 days after the assessment through Special Girdawari. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the natural calamity had severely disrupted life across many districts of Punjab. However, with the grace of our Guru Sahibs, the state has succeeded in overcoming this disaster.
schools in the state are being upgraded into Schools of Eminence.: CM
The Chief Minister said that Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana is being launched to provide insurance. This will cover free medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family. Nearly three crore residents of the state will benefit from it. He said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are functioning in the state. They provide free quality treatment to people. He added that 200 more will be opened soon. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Sehatmand Punjab initiative includes the CM Yogshala campaign. The campaign has been launched to promote fitness and well-being.
CM said that government schools in the state are being upgraded into Schools of Eminence. The state government made concerted efforts. Punjab has secured the top position nationwide in the National Assessment Survey. This survey was conducted by the Government of India. This surpasses Kerala for the first time in education outcomes. He said that from government schools, 848 students have qualified NEET, 265 cleared JEE Mains, and 45 cleared JEE Advanced. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Principals and teachers are being sent to Singapore, Finland, and Ahmedabad for professional training.
Roshan Punjab Project has been launched
The Chief Minister said that the Roshan Punjab Project has been launched. Its goal is to eliminate power cuts. The project involves an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in infrastructure. He mentioned that since July 2022, 90% of households have received free electricity. This has led to zero bills and an annual saving of nearly Rs 35,000 per family. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has created history. They acquired the Goindwal Power Plant from GVK Power. It was renamed after Sri Guru Amardas Ji.
The CM profusely thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for convening this meeting. It aims to resolve the issues concerning Punjab and neighboring states through inter-state consultations. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for us. The state government is organizing a series of events. These events will commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. He was the Ninth Sikh Guru. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state Government has already planned various events. These events will commemorate this once in a lifetime event across the state in a fitting manner.
Punjab Honors Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Amid Massive Flood Aftermath
The Chief Minister said that these series of events are being organized with deep reverence and respect across the state. These historic events will primarily take place on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib. They will occur under the auspices of the state government. He said that the underlying message of the series of events is to encourage the people. The goal is to follow the high ideals of secularism. It also aims to promote humanism and the spirit of sacrifice. These are preached and practiced by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He laid down his life to protect the right of freedom to worship. He also aimed to preserve human rights along with secular values. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh BahadurJi was unique. It was unparalleled in the history of mankind. It symbolized the crusade against injustice, tyranny and oppression.
A few months back, the state faced the worst natural catastrophe. It took the form of floods, as the Chief Minister bemoaned. He said that the floods submerged over 2,300 villages. They affected more than 2 million people. The floods destroyed crops across five lakh acres of land. Tragically, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that around 60 lives were lost. Seven lakh people were rendered homeless. Additionally, 3,200 government schools were damaged, and 19 colleges were reduced to rubble. Moreover, 1,400 clinics and hospitals were ruined. A total of 8,500 kilometers of roads were destroyed, and 2,500 bridges collapsed.
Punjab is the nation’s food bowl : CM
The CM said that as per estimates, the total damage amounts to approximately Rs 13,800 crore. However, with their indomitable spirit of Chardi Kala, the Punjabis have started the rebuilding exercise in the state. He said it is immensely proud for us. Despite the flood fury, Punjab is contributing more than 150 LMT of paddy to the national pool. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is the nation’s food bowl. It also has the distinction of being the sword arm of the country. Its people are well known all over the world for their courage. They are also known for their resilience and spirit of enterprise.
The CM said it is important to recognize the purpose of setting up the Zonal Councils. These councils were established under the provisions of the State Reorganization Act, 1956. He mentioned that it is an excellent platform. It helps raise the level of interstate cooperation. This cooperation is crucial for our economic development. He said that it is in the interest of states to sit together. States should explore the best possibilities of socio-economic development in the region. The region is otherwise geographically disadvantaged, being landlocked and with hostile borders. Bhagwant Singh Mann advocated for a genuine federal structure in the country.He stated that the States should receive more financial power. The Chief Minister also said they should have greater political power. He emphasized that leaders across the entire political spectrum have felt the need for this.
Government of Punjab is fully committed to mutual cooperation
The CM said there is a wide consensus cutting across party lines. The State governments need much greater operational freedom. This freedom is necessary for choosing and financing their development priorities. He said that the northern states share common historical and cultural ties. The Government of Punjab is fully committed to mutual cooperation. It also remains dedicated to maintaining good relations with all these States. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Northern Zonal Council is a useful platform. It plays an instrumental role in resolving long-standing issues between the Centre and States. This is achieved through open discussions and consultations among the States.
