Punjab Abstains from Talks on Haryana’s Water Share

### Rapid Summary

– Punjab government did not attend the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) meeting on Saturday, citing assembly session preparations and procedural irregularities in previous meetings.
– Punjab’s governing AAP called the meeting “illegal and unconstitutional,” while BBMB planned to address the release of 4,500 additional cusecs of water daily for eight days to haryana.
– BBMB’s chairman Manoj Tripathi plans to meet with Punjab government officials regarding water sharing and other concerns, including withdrawal of Punjab Police security from Nangal Dam.
– In a prior letter, Punjab’s water resources secretary requested an adjournment due to lack of adherence to regulations requiring seven days’ notice for special meetings.
– A recent BBMB decision directed Punjab to release 8,500 cusecs of water despite strong opposition from Bhagwant Mann-led governance.
– All-party meetings in both Punjab and Haryana reaffirmed stands defending their respective state interests on this issue.

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### Indian Opinion Analysis

The absence of the Punjab government at a crucial BBMB meeting highlights deep-seated tensions over inter-state water sharing agreements between Northern states like Punjab and Haryana-issues that often carry political sensitivities due to regional agricultural dependency and historic disputes around resource allocation. By flagging procedural lapses such as non-compliance with seven-day notice norms, the Mann-led administration has questioned BBMB’s operational legitimacy while strategically uniting all parties in its state against forced concessions.

While haryana insists on equitable distribution backed by board directives, resistance from neighboring states reflects fears over long-term implications for local sustainability amid growing resource scarcity issues across India’s river systems-particularly in northern regions heavily reliant on irrigation watersheds like those controlled by Bhakra Beas rivers. The ultimate resolution will require transparent dialog balancing constitutional requirements with ecological realities that effect millions across both states.