Punjab-Haryana water dispute: Centre decides to post CISF at Bhakra dam
CHANDIGARH: Amid the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana, Centre has approved deployment of
Central Industrial Security Force
(CISF) at the Bhakra dam project. The move follows a recent move by Punjab police to take control of certain critical points of the dam.
Sources said MHA sanctioned the creation of 296 posts in CISF's security wing for induction at the Bhakra project in Nangal, Punjab and a letter to this effect was sent to the central paramilitary force on May 19. Subsequently, CISF issued directions to facilitate accommodation, transport, communication equipment, security gadgets and other basic amenities for deploying its personnel at
Bhakra Beas Management Board
(BBMB), Nangal.
A few weeks ago, Punjab govt had deployed massive police force at the dam following BBMB's decision to release additional 4,500 cusecs of water for Haryana.
As per a reply filed by BBMB chairman in a related matter before Punjab and Haryana HC, the Board's officials have been restrained from operating at the dam by Punjab govt functionaries.
In court, BBMB had demanded that CISF personnel be deployed at the dam. While hearing the matter on May 6, the Chief Justice-headed bench refused to pass orders for CISF deployment, but observed that most central installations in states are manned by central paramilitary force.
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Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who reached Nangal dam on Wednesday, said his govt would raise a demand for reconstitution of BBMB in the May 24 meeting of Niti Aayog, which is to be chaired by PM Narendra Modi. Addressing a rally, he added that since the water level changed frequently, all water agreements should be reviewed every 25 years.
"From 1pm today, water will be released to Haryana as per the state's allocation and in keeping with the capacity of the infrastructure. But the state should make judicious use of the water and not hope for extra during the current cycle. We have no animosity with the people of Haryana. They picked a political fight. (Union minister and ex-Haryana CM) Manohar Lal Khattar made it a prestige issue," he said. Describing BBMB as a 'white elephant', Mann said it was useless in the present form.
He said Haryana exhausted its share of water in March, "but the Board acted as a puppet in the hands of the Centre and Haryana govt to take away Punjab's share".
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