Latest news with #RiparianPrinciple
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab Cong leaders express divergent views on Omar's water statement
Jalandhar: When there is nothing hidden about factionalism in Punjab Congress, the responses of the state party leaders to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah's statement about not allowing water from three western rivers of the Indus system to Punjab, after India put the in abeyance, have also been divergent, rather contradictory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This reflects a lack of discussions within the party on serious issues. While Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticised Abdullah, MLA Pargat Singh expressed agreement with his assertion and argued that Punjab should assert the same right over its waters. "It's sad that JK CM @OmarAbdullah ji has started doing politics over the proposed canals to be constructed to prevent the flow of water to Pakistan. Want to ask Omar Sahab, doesn't it amount to treating us on par with Pakistan? We suspended the Indus Water Treaty as Pakistan proved to be a rogue and enemy nation to us. What reasons do you have to refuse water to us?" posted Warring on his X account. Randhawa also took strong exception to Abdullah's statement and said the latter undermined Punjab's sacrifice and patriotism, while also mentioning Punjab's crucial role in the food security of the country. However, Pargat took a contrasting stand, arguing for Punjab's interests using an entirely different perspective and also sought to put the Aam Aadmi Party in the dock on the issue. "Agreeing with J&K CM @OmarAbdullah's assertion that a state should first meet its own water needs before discussing its sharing with any other state - this aligns with both the Riparian Principle and the Constitution. It is a fair and forward-looking stance, and once the Indus Water Treaty is re-evaluated, water must be distributed among states based on these principles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Punjab asserts the same right over its waters, as highlighted by the J&K CM. However, what is deeply concerning is the @AAPPunjab spokesperson's statement suggesting that the central govt should decide water sharing. As the ruling party in Punjab, AAP's position undermines federalism and jeopardises Punjab's rightful claim over its rivers. Only a BJP B-Team would so casually surrender state rights to the Centre." Punjab expert justifies Abdullah's stance Veteran journalist Sukhdev Singh, who has been following Punjab's river water issues for close to five decades and is an expert on the subject, in a FB post justified Abdullah's stance, arguing that it aligned with internationally recognised riparian principles and the spirit of the Indian Constitution. "...Kashmir's position is also consistent with the Constitution and the Indus treaty. In fact, the interests of Kashmir and Punjab regarding the rivers are identical, which also align with riparian principles. The truth is that Punjab is merely being used in the context of the utilisation of rivers flowing through 'Kashmir' ........ If the Indian state were truly considerate towards Punjab, it would not have indiscriminately exploited 70% of the available water from Punjab's three rivers. " He sought to differ with Abdullah's remark on Kashmir's share from the Ravi and said Punjab provided Kashmir with more than its rightful share in the form of free electricity from the Thein Dam and water from Shahpur Kandi, based on an agreement made 27 years ago.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Opposition slams Mann govt for failing to act on water rights issue
Punjab's leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Thursday slammed chief minister Bhagwant Mann for his 'lack of action' on the state's water rights following a recent high court ruling in favour of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Bajwa accused Mann of wasting 48 hours and indulging in cheap politics failing to approach the Supreme Court after the court ordered the release of additional water to Haryana. 'Instead of pursuing legal recourse, Mann and the AAP government engaged in public displays aimed at cheap optics but avoided taking decisive governance steps,' Bajwa said. He pointed to AAP minister Harjot Singh Bains who reportedly locked BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi for two hours at the dam's guest house despite the high court directive to the AAP government not to interfere in the working of the BBMB. Mann was also present at the site. Bajwa called on the CM to take governance more seriously, particularly in light of Punjab's critical challenges such as water management, border security and public welfare. He emphasised the need for focused leadership that prioritises the state's safety and its rightful share of water resources. Echoing similar concerns, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia also criticised the AAP government accusing it of surrendering Punjab's water rights by not challenging the high court's directive in the Supreme Court. Majithia urged the government to take firm action to prevent the flow of additional water to Haryana, emphasising the importance of enforcing the Riparian Principle, which prioritises Punjab's control over its river waters.
