Tensions are escalating between Punjab and Haryana over the maintenance of the Bhakra Canal. The Punjab government has demanded outstanding dues of ₹113.24 crore from Haryana, stating that this amount is owed in exchange for maintenance work on the Bhakra Main Line canal. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema shared this information with the media on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting.
Cheema stated that the pending payment came to light during a recent internal audit conducted by the state government. Following this, Punjab sent a formal bill to the Haryana government, demanding payment. He alleged that the Haryana government has not been paying the maintenance costs of the Bhakra Canal for several years, which has now resulted in Punjab bearing this significant outstanding amount.
Former Governments Held Responsible
The Finance Minister also held the state's former governments accountable for this issue. He said that previous governments did not show any seriousness in recovering the dues from Haryana, due to which this amount has remained outstanding for years. Quoting officials, he said that the Haryana government has not been making any payments for the Bhakra Canal for a long time, while the maintenance of the canal is entirely the responsibility of Punjab.
Cheema clarified that Punjab will not show any leniency in this matter and will recover these dues from the Haryana government at all costs.
Displeasure Expressed Over CISF Deployment
The Punjab government has also expressed displeasure over the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bhakra-Nangal Dam project site. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema alleged that this is a well-planned conspiracy by the central government and Haryana, through which an attempt is being made to control Punjab's water resources.
He said that the Punjab Police has been responsible for the security of the dam for the past 70 years, and the deployment of CISF is completely unnecessary now. He said that the state government has opposed this move, and the Punjab Assembly has also passed a resolution against this decision. Cheema clarified that Punjab will not accept the deployment of CISF, nor will it pay for its expenses. The process of seeking legal advice on this issue has also been initiated.
What is the Bhakra Canal Project?
The Bhakra Canal project is considered one of the largest and most important river valley projects in India. Its main objective is irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. Built on the Sutlej River in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, the Bhakra Dam is approximately 226 meters high, making it one of the tallest concrete gravity dams in the country.
The project was started in 1948 and completed in 1963. The vast canal system emanating from the Bhakra Dam irrigates millions of hectares of agricultural land in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
The total length of this canal system extends over thousands of kilometers, and it has tremendously increased the agricultural capacity of the three states. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have directly benefited from this project, due to which these states have come to be recognized as the 'food bowl of India'. In addition, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh also receive water and electricity supply from this project.
Eyes on Haryana's Reaction
After this stance of the Punjab government, all eyes are now on the reaction of the Haryana government. Whether Haryana will make this outstanding payment or take an alternative stand on this issue will become clear in the coming times. But one thing is certain: the dispute between the two states over the Bhakra Canal has now come out into the open, which may also affect future politics and water sharing policy.
