States » NorthPosted at: Oct 27 2026 4:59PM


Punjab stakes claim to Yamuna waters, seeks repeal of Dam Safety Act

Chandigarh, Oct 27 (UNI) Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal moved resolutions in the state assembly on Tuesday asserting Punjab's historical and legal claim over Yamuna river waters and seeking the repeal of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, accusing the Centre of encroaching upon the state's constitutional powers.
Goyal argued that Punjab was entitled to a share of Yamuna waters on the same principle under which Haryana claims a share of Punjab's river waters following the reorganisation of the erstwhile Punjab state in 1966.
"Punjab has a historic and legal share in Yamuna water," the minister said, according to the resolution's stated position.
The resolution called upon the Centre to recognise Punjab's claim and reconstitute the relevant water tribunal to address the longstanding inter-state dispute.
Highlighting the state's worsening water crisis, Goyal said Punjab required 52 million acre-feet (MAF) of water to meet its needs.
He pointed out that 110 of Punjab's 153 groundwater assessment blocks, accounting for nearly 72 per cent, had been classified as overexploited, reflecting mounting pressure on the state's groundwater resources.
The minister maintained that Punjab could not afford further depletion of its water resources and asserted that neighbouring states had no right to claim waters belonging to Punjab.
In a separate resolution, Goyal demanded the repeal of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, arguing that the legislation transferred excessive powers to the Centre and undermined India's federal structure.
The resolution also sought amendments to Sections 78 and 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which govern arrangements concerning river-water infrastructure and related authorities following the state's bifurcation.
Goyal demanded that control of the Beas, Ropar and Harike headworks be placed under the Punjab government, maintaining that the state should exercise authority over infrastructure associated with its river-water resources.
The resolutions bring renewed attention to Punjab's longstanding water disputes with neighbouring states, particularly Haryana, and raise broader questions over the division of powers between the Centre and states in managing inter-state rivers and dams.
The demands could intensify political and legal debate over water-sharing arrangements, particularly as Punjab faces increasing groundwater depletion and pressure on agricultural water supplies.
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Tags: #Punjab stakes claim to Yamuna waters# seeks repeal of Dam Safety Act
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