Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has asserted that the state would not tolerate attempts by neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh at the behest of New Delhi to snatch Punjab’s resources or infringe upon its constitutional rights. Addressing the media following the Northern Zonal Council meeting chaired by the Indian Home Minister, Mann said his opposition forced New Delhi to defer decisions on all 11 Punjab-related items out of 28 discussed.

“On most items, Delhi agreed to maintain status quo. Our demand for restoring the 60:40 Punjab-Haryana ratio for Chandigarh Administration service intake was referred to the standing committee, after Himachal Pradesh unexpectedly claimed a 7% share,” Mann said. Punjab resisted Haryana’s demands on water sharing under the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, restrictions on mini hydel projects on the Bhakra Main Line, and accreditation of Haryana colleges to Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Mann also objected to Rajasthan’s proposed appointment to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, where Rajasthan and Himachal are already represented. Mann said, “We have no spare water. …External control of Punjab headworks is unacceptable.” Mann also demanded that Chandigarh be fully handed over to Punjab and that elections to the Panjab University Senate be announced, citing the Indira Gandhi Agreement (1970) and the Rajiv-Longowal Accord (1985).

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)