Punjab Assembly Passes Water Resolutions, Mann Says Not a Drop Will Be Surrenderedਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਨੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਮਤੇ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤੇ, ਮਾਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਇੱਕ ਬੂੰਦ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, passed resolutions asserting the state's rights over its river waters, closing the final day of the session with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declaring that not a single drop of Punjab's rightful share would be surrendered. The Indian Express reported that the resolutions sought a share in Yamuna waters and royalty from Rajasthan. Mann vowed to fight for Punjab's water rights from courts to streets, IANS reported.

What did the Chief Minister say?

Mann said Rajasthan and Haryana have no share in the waters of the Ravi and the Beas, and questioned why Rajasthan continues to take Punjab's water without payment. He put Punjab's outstanding royalty claim against Rajasthan at Rs 1.43 lakh crore, and said Rajasthan makes money by selling that water to industries. Water is a state subject and control of headworks rests with the states, he told the House, adding that Punjab would vigorously pursue its legitimate rights and would not allow the state's interests to be sacrificed.

The Yamuna claim

On Haryana, Mann said it was unfair that Haryana stakes a claim over Ravi-Beas waters while Punjab's rightful share in Yamuna waters is ignored, even though the Yamuna was part of undivided Punjab. Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal moved the special resolution seeking Punjab's share of the Yamuna. The resolution cites a March 1954 agreement between undivided Punjab and Uttar Pradesh that, it says, entitled Punjab to two-thirds of the river's waters, and notes that Punjab was excluded from the 1994 Yamuna sharing agreement signed by Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. It calls for Punjab to be included as a beneficiary when that agreement is reviewed, with a share drawn from Haryana's allocation.

BBMB, Dam Safety Act and the vote

The five resolutions were tabled by Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal. The Indian Express reported that they were passed in the absence of Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP legislators, after the Congress boycott of the final day's proceedings. Together they sought permanent control of the Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur headworks, demanded abolition of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, and reiterated the demand to repeal the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which the House had unanimously sought on 5 May 2025. The fifth resolution addressed Ravi water flowing into Pakistan below Madhopur Headworks, noting there is no structure to store or divert it before it crosses the border.

Canal water and the irrigation claim

Mann told the House his government had expanded canal water access from 22 per cent of fields when it took office in 2022 to nearly 80 per cent, laying 14,000 km of underground pipelines to carry water to tail-end fields. He said 60.80 lakh acres are now irrigated through the revived canal network. The resolutions are political and legal statements: any change to water sharing still needs action by the Centre, other states or the courts. The House also unanimously passed a separate resolution moved by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema affirming that Punjab's welfare schemes and direct financial entitlements will continue uninterrupted.

What did the Punjab Assembly pass on river waters?

Resolutions asserting Punjab's water rights, including a Yamuna share, royalty from Rajasthan, abolition of the BBMB and repeal of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

How much royalty does Punjab claim from Rajasthan?

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann put the outstanding claim at Rs 1.43 lakh crore for water Rajasthan has taken without payment.

Will the resolutions change water sharing now?

No. They state Punjab's position. Any change needs action by the Centre, other states or the courts.

Correction

An earlier version of this story, based on a wire summary, said the House adopted the water resolutions unanimously and that a BJP MLA supported them in the House. The Indian Express's full report says the five resolutions were passed in the absence of Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP legislators. The story has been corrected. The Express also puts the dues from Rajasthan at Rs 1.44 lakh crore; the Punjab government's own release and IANS put the figure at Rs 1.43 lakh crore, which is the figure used in this story.