Chandigarh, May 24: The 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Ministers of all states and union territories, Lieutenant Governors, Union Ministers and Vice-Chairman, Members and CEO of NITI Aayog attended the meeting. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also attended this meeting. During this, he raised the issue of Bhakra Dam management and demanded its restructuring.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised many sensitive and major issues related to the state in the meeting with the central government. These include reorganisation of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), new review of water sharing, special economic package for border districts, and demand for outstanding central funds. Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and senior officials of the Finance Department also accompanied CM Mann in Delhi.
CM Mann had already mentioned these issues. He said that about 3 thousand posts of Punjab’s share are vacant in BBMB, for which the recruitment process will be started soon. He alleged that efforts are being made to weaken the authority of Punjab in BBMB through the appointment of retired officers from the Central and Haryana governments.
He also expressed apprehension that such officers have been accused of corruption, and by re-deploying them, administrative pressure is being created on Punjab.
Demand for review of water agreement: “Reconsideration necessary after 25 years”
CM Mann said in the meeting that according to international laws, any water agreement between two states is reviewable after 25 years. They will now demand setting new standards for water sharing between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. He also argued that Punjab produces millions of tonnes of grains (paddy, wheat, pulses, cotton etc.) for the country every year, in which water is the biggest resource. Today 117 blocks of the state have reached the “dark zone”, that is, the groundwater level has fallen severely. In this situation, Punjab should get special privileges on water.
Demand for outstanding ₹11,500 crore funds
In the meeting of NITI Aayog, the demand was raised to release the funds of ₹ 11,500 crores withheld by the Center for Punjab’s share. This includes funds for schemes related to health, education, infrastructure and farmers’ welfare.
Demand for special package for border districts
CM Mann will also demand a special economic package for the districts situated in the 532 km long area of Punjab bordering Pakistan. He said that during Operation Sindoor, most of the drone and missile attacks took place in the border areas of Punjab.
The main demands of CM Mann-
- Punjab opposed the deployment of CISF for the security of Bhakra and Nangal Dam.
- Punjab’s argument- Deployment of CISF will weaken the rights of the states.
- Punjab demanded the Centre to immediately withdraw the decision of CISF deployment.
- The BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) was accused of bypassing the rights of Punjab.
- Punjab’s allegation – Releasing water without the state’s consent is not only against the law but also against the federal structure.
- Punjab officials are being neglected in BBMB.
- Punjab’s demand- The biased functioning of BBMB should be stopped immediately.
- Not SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link), YSL (Yamuna-Sutlej Link) was advocated.
- Punjab demands special financial assistance of Rs 600 crore for cleaning of Harike Headworks.