Punjab has reacted strongly to the allegations of the Haryana government about the declining water supply to the latter from the Bhakra Dam distributaries at the Haryana Contact Points (HCPs).
In a letter to the Punjab government addressed to the chief engineer (canals) dated June 21, the Haryana government had alleged that the state was not getting the entitled discharge of 10, 545 cusec of water from Punjab at the two HCPs situated in Patiala and Sangrur districts along the Haryana border.
"Haryana was quoting the wrong figures as its entitlement from Bhakra is 9,525 cusec of water and we are ensuring its delivery at the HCPs," said PS Bhogal, superintendent engineer (SC) of the Bhakra Main Line Canal Circle Patiala.
He said by quoting the wrong figures about its entitlement of water share, Haryana might have been trying to protect its "self interests".
"Whatever has been assured by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), we are delivering it to Punjab. There was no point in decreasing the water share of Haryana when the Punjab was having adequate water," said Bhogal.
An official of canal department from Chandigarh dismissed these allegations. "In the two HCPs at Khannauri of Sangrur and Sarola of Patiala, our department officials have ensured the due delivery of water to Haryana. We have given the details in the letter issued on Friday," he said.
Since New Delhi was criticizing Haryana for reducing its share of water in the recent days, may be, the Haryana officials were trying to shift the blame on Punjab, said an official.
An official of canal department from Chandigarh dismissed these allegations. "In the two HCPs at Khannauri of Sangrur and Sarola of Patiala, our department officials have ensured the due delivery of water to Haryana. We have given the details in the letter issued on Friday," he said.
Since New Delhi was criticizing Haryana for reducing its share of water in the recent days, may be, the Haryana officials were trying to shift the blame on Punjab, said an official.
It is pertinent to mention that the BBMB delivers the water in the Bhakra and Narwana distributaries at Ropar. Thereafter, the Bhakra Main Line Canal Circle Patiala assures its delivery to Haryana at the HCPs.
Water has remained the bone of contention between the Punjab and Haryana, be it the Hansi-Butana canal row, or the discharge of water from the Bhakra-Nangal dam.