CM Bhagwant Mann Demands ₹1.44 Lakh Crore Water Royalty From Rajasthan

In a fiery address on the concluding day of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session in Chandigarh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann delivered an uncompromising stance on inter-state river water disputes, vowing that Punjab will fight for every drop of water from the courts to the streets. The Chief Minister made a massive claim against Rajasthan, asserting that the neighboring state owes Punjab an estimated ₹1.44 lakh crore in unpaid royalties for utilizing river water since 1960. Highlighting regional connectivity, natural resource autonomy, and sports infrastructure, Mann also reiterated the urgent need to reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, proposed replacing the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) with a Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL), and declared Punjab's ambitious bid to host the 2030 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup.₹1.44 Lakh Crore Water Royalty Claim: Mann Targets Rajasthan and River DisparitiesThe Chief Minister mounted an aggressive counter on river water sharing, challenging historical allocations and demanding substantial financial compensation:Unpaid Dues Since 1960: Mann stated that Rajasthan paid regular water royalties to Punjab until 1960, after which it began drawing state river supplies without compensation and commercially distributing them, justifying a cumulative royalty claim of ₹1.44 lakh crore.The Yamuna Exclusion Argument: Questioning federal negotiation tables, Mann pointed out that while Punjab is continually pressured to release water from the Ravi and Beas rivers, it is routinely excluded from discussions on Yamuna water distribution, despite possessing legitimate historical shares prior to state reorganization.Sutlej Resembles a Drain: The Chief Minister noted that the Sutlej river has suffered extreme depletion, making debates over constructing the SYL canal redundant when there is simply no surplus water left in Punjab’s natural riverbeds.Pitching YSL Instead of SYL: Dialogue with Centre and State Water AutonomyAddressing alternative inter-state hydraulic solutions, Mann revealed his discussions with the central government regarding regional water management:Proposal for Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL): Mann shared that during high-level meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he formally recommended engineering a Yamuna-Sutlej Link rather than pursuing the contentious SYL canal, allowing excess waters from the Yamuna to meet Haryana’s requirements with surplus routed into the depleted Sutlej.Autonomy Over Dams and BBMB: The Chief Minister raised concerns over administrative friction surrounding the Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB) and headworks, reiterating that water is fundamentally a State Subject under the Constitution and control over local dams must remain with the state government.Opposition Walkout Slammed: Mann lashed out at Congress MLAs for staging a walkout during the introduction of the river water resolution, branding them as indifferent to Punjab's natural resources and asserting that the state legislative house would pass the protective resolutions unconditionally.Canal Irrigation Reaches 80%: 14,000 Km Pipelines Recharging GroundwaterMann detailed significant ground achievements executed across Punjab’s agricultural irrigation framework over his administration's tenure:Massive Irrigation Jump: Farmland coverage serviced by surface canal irrigation has expanded dramatically from 22 percent at the start of his tenure to 80 percent across the state.Reviving the Kandi Canal: The Kandi Canal has been revitalized and reopened after 40 years of neglect, employing advanced lift systems to supply clean canal water across undulating sub-mountainous terrains.Pipeline Network and Water Tables: State authorities have laid over 14,000 kilometers of underground irrigation pipelines, curbing unchecked tube well extraction and raising regional groundwater levels by 1 to 5 meters.Reopening Kartarpur Corridor and Pitching Punjab for 2030 Hockey World CupBroadening the session's focus toward international diplomacy, welfare schemes, and sports resurgence, the Chief Minister laid out major cultural and developmental goals:Restoring Kartarpur Sahib Access: Highlighting the deep spiritual sentiments of Sikh devotees worldwide, Mann called upon the central government to fully reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, noting that peaceful pilgrimage operated smoothly without security issues in past phases.Outreach on Welfare Schemes: The state administration will launch extensive public awareness campaigns highlighting welfare initiatives, including free electricity provisions and the Mawan-Dhiyan financial empowerment scheme.International Hockey Hub & 2030 World Cup Bid: Emphasizing that nine out of eleven players in the Indian national hockey team hail from Punjab, Mann announced major Asian Champions Trophy fixtures with league games at Jalandhar’s Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium (Burlton Park) and finals at Mohali, stating that successful execution will position Punjab to bid for the 2030 FIH Hockey World Cup.