Help from Centre sought for Punjab-Haryana water dispute

• Punjab NRI Affairs Minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, insists on not releasing water to Haryana.

• Tensions escalated after the Union government advised Punjab to release an extra 4,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra dam to Haryana.

• Dhaliwal argues that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fighting for the State’s share of water.

• An all-party meeting in Haryana urged the Punjab government to “unconditionally release water.”

• Haryana Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala questioned the Centre’s silence on the issue.

• Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal termed Haryana’s demand for increased dam water a “brazen loot” of Punjab’s resources.

• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the need for the people of his State to receive their rightful share of water.