Punjab To File Case Seeking Rs 1.44 Lakh Crore Water Dues From Rajasthan
Punjab plans legal action over water dues; Rajasthan rejects claim, citing constitutional and treaty provisions.
A fresh inter-state dispute has emerged as Punjab announced plans to move court to recover ₹1.44 lakh crore in alleged water dues from Rajasthan, which has firmly rejected the claim as “unconstitutional.” The disagreement signals a potential legal confrontation between the two states over long-standing water-sharing arrangements.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused Rajasthan of drawing water for decades without paying royalty. He said Punjab would pursue legal recourse, asserting that Rajasthan must justify its position in court. According to Mann, payments were made initially but were discontinued over time despite continued water usage.
The Punjab government’s claim is rooted in a 1920 tripartite agreement involving the British administration, the princely state of Bahawalpur, and the erstwhile ruler of Bikaner. Mann said Rajasthan continues to draw nearly 18,000 cusecs of water through the Rajasthan Feeder while benefiting from the agreement’s provisions. He argued that although Rajasthan invokes the Indus Waters Treaty when it comes to payments, the treaty does not explicitly cancel earlier royalty arrangements.
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Mann further stated that if dues are calculated from 1960 to 2026, the amount reaches ₹1.44 lakh crore. He added that Punjab has written to Rajasthan seeking discussions, though it remains prepared to escalate the matter legally if necessary.
Rejecting the claim, Rajasthan Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat said the demand has no constitutional basis. He argued that under the 1920 agreement, any payments were meant for the British government rather than Punjab. Citing Article 262 of the Indian Constitution, Rawat emphasised that rivers are national resources and cannot be treated as commodities subject to sale or royalty.
The latest development adds to ongoing tensions between the two states, including the unresolved Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal dispute. Experts suggest that while the current disagreement may remain political in the short term, continued escalation could lead to central intervention or adjudication through a tribunal.
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