Union minister Ravneet Bittu slams Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for raising water dispute amid national crisis

CHANDIGARH: Union minister of state for Railways and Food processing Ravneet Singh Bittu Wednesday rebuked Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann for raking up the issue of water dispute between Punjab and Haryana “at a time of national emergency when India is fighting Pakistan sponsored terrorism”.
Bittu in a written statement said, “Whole of India is in mourning and stands united against the merciless killing of 26 hapless tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir. All political parties in one voice condemned the terror attack and wanted revenge from Pakistan. The nation's priority at this time is to show unity and make a strong offensive against Pakistan. Unfortunately, Bhagwant Mann chose this time to divide the states and play petty politics over national interests.”
Terming it as a “shameful act”, Bittu demanded an apology from Punjab CM.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had Tuesday reacted sharply to Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini’s demand for release of additional 8500 cusecs of water, saying Haryana exhausted its full share of water allocated by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Mann accused the BJP of playing “dirty game” by pressuring Punjab to release excess water to Haryana. Mann also demanded that waters of Chenab, Jhelum and Ujh rivers be diverted to Punjab following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
Urging Punjab CM Mann for immediate release of water, Haryana CM Saini, on the other hand, Tuesday claimed that the BBMB technical committee had on April 23 directed for the release of additional 8500 cusecs of water to Haryana.
Ravneet Bittu stated, “Punjab is a border state and shares a long border with Pakistan. Prime Minister and chiefs of armed forces were busy planning a strategy to counter Pakistan, but Bhagwant Mann has supported the cause of Pakistan. Mann is playing divisive politics without realising the mood of the country. It is a cowardly act.”
The union minister said that the water dispute between Punjab and Haryana was not new and not an issue at this juncture. “Punjab has full right on its share of river waters and nobody can snatch it. Holding inter-state meetings with Bhakra Beas Management Board to discuss flow of water and needs of the states is a routine matter and such meetings are held every year. But raising this issue now is condemnable,” he added.