'Illegal, inhuman': All-party meet in Haryana asks Punjab government to release water unconditionally

An all-party meeting called by the Haryana government slammed the Punjab government's refusal to release water, calling it "unconstitutional, illegal, inhuman and inappropriate".

- 

The meeting urged the AAP-led Punjab government to allow the release of water from the Bhakra dam unconditionally.

This came a day after an all-party meeting in Punjab backed the state government's refusal to release more water to BJP-ruled Haryana. The meeting was chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Other leaders present included Haryana's Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Shruti Choudhry, Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Energy Minister Anil Vij, State BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda of Congress, state Congress chief Udai Bhan, Dushyant Chautala of JJP, Rampal Majra of INLD and Sushil Gupta of AAP.

After the meeting, Saini criticized the Punjab government, stating that after refusing to construct the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal and effectively seizing irrigation water, Punjab is now engaging in an unconstitutional act by obstructing drinking water meant for the people of Haryana. "The all-party meeting decided that the Mann government should release water immediately and unconditionally. If anyone comes to our home, the first thing we do is to offer a glass of water before we talk. It is surprising that politics can be played to such an extent that there would be a question mark on drinking water," he said.