Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said the state government is aggressively pursuing the recovery of outstanding dues from partner states in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), asserting that Punjab’s interests had long been ignored by earlier regimes.
Addressing the media at Punjab Bhawan, Cheema said the state has formally written to the Haryana Government seeking the settlement of Rs 113.24 crore, which remains unpaid in connection with Punjab’s share of expenses for the maintenance of Bhakra system infrastructure. The demand includes Rs 103.92 crore for the XEN BML Canal Division, Patiala, and Rs 9.32 crore for the Mansa Canal Division, Jawaharke.
“These dues pertain to the reimbursement of actual expenditures incurred on the operation and maintenance of the common carrier channels of the Bhakra systems,” said Cheema, noting that a reconciliation process conducted by Punjab’s irrigation department had confirmed the amount.
Cheema sharply criticised previous Congress and SAD-BJP governments in the state for their failure to protect Punjab’s interests in the BBMB. He alleged that their inaction allowed other states to overdraw their allocated water shares and delay critical payments. “For years, Punjab’s rightful dues were ignored, and partner states took undue advantage,” he said.
In response to a question regarding BBMB’s recent proposal to deploy the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for guarding its infrastructure, Cheema said the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had already passed a unanimous resolution opposing the move. “The elected House, representing three crore Punjabis, has conveyed in clear terms to both the Centre and BBMB that there is no need for CISF deployment. The Punjab Police has successfully protected BBMB infrastructure for decades. There has not been a single breach of security,” he said.
Cheema reiterated that the state government led by the Aam Aadmi Party was committed to safeguarding Punjab’s water and financial interests. “We are taking every legal and administrative step to ensure that what belongs to Punjab is returned to Punjab. The issue is not just financial; it is about justice and rights,” he said.
He affirmed that the Mann government would not compromise on such matters and would continue to raise them at appropriate forums, including with the Centre, to ensure fair treatment for Punjab.
The BBMB, which manages the operations of the Bhakra and Beas projects, involves joint participation from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. Over the years, disputes have arisen over cost-sharing, maintenance liabilities, and water allocations—issues that have frequently triggered political confrontations.
Today’s development signals a renewed push by the Punjab government to assert its position more strongly in inter-state water and financial matters tied to BBMB, especially at a time when the Centre is increasingly seeking to centralise control over such multi-state utilities.
Cheema also hinted that further correspondence with other partner states was underway, indicating that Haryana may not be the only state with pending liabilities. He stressed that the principle of federal fairness must prevail in the functioning of institutions like the BBMB.