CM Mann Alleges “Vendetta Politics” as Centre Slaps Punjab with Rs 8.5 Crore CISF Bill -Dam Security
“We don’t have extra water to give, and we certainly don’t have Rs 8.5 crore lying around to fund the Centre’s unilateral decisions.”-Mann
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Water Dispute With Haryana, BBMB Latest News Today: In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Central government of engaging in "vendetta politics" against the state, following a controversial directive mandating the deployment of 296 CISF personnel at Bhakra Dam — with a cost burden of over Rs 8.5 crore falling on Punjab or the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
The notice, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 19, has drawn sharp criticism from Mann, who questioned both the necessity of the move and the intention behind it. “Punjab Police has been securing Bhakra Dam for years. What’s the emergency now that the Centre needs to parachute in CISF at our expense?” he asked.
The Chief Minister expressed disbelief over the financial demand, calculating the cost at Rs 2,90,100 per CISF personnel annually. “Why should Punjab pay rent for security when we are already doing the job effectively? Are we being punished for something?” he asked, suggesting that the Centre may be retaliating against Punjab for the farmers' protests or its political stance.
Mann’s remarks quickly turned political as he called out BJP leaders from Punjab — including Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu, state president Sunil Jakhar, and Capt Amarinder Singh — questioning their silence. “They promised in the all-party meeting that not a single drop of Punjab’s water would go to Haryana. So why are they quiet now? Was this CISF deployment approved with their knowledge?” he asked.
He warned that the move could be a precursor to future central interference. “If this trend continues, who knows — maybe one day, they’ll even remove Punjab from the National Anthem,” he said, provoking strong reactions from supporters and opposition alike.
The Punjab-Haryana water dispute has long been a politically sensitive issue, and Mann reaffirmed his government’s position: “We don’t have extra water to give, and we certainly don’t have Rs 8.5 crore lying around to fund the Centre’s unilateral decisions.”
He also invoked Punjab’s history of sacrifice, recalling the role the state has played in national security. “From Pathankot to the India-Pakistan wars, Punjab has always been the first line of defense. And now the Centre is charging us for protection? This is shameful,” Mann asserted.
With the Vidhan Sabha previously passing a unanimous resolution opposing any sharing of Punjab’s river waters with Haryana, the Centre’s move has reignited political tension in the state. As the issue continues to unfold, all eyes are now on the BJP’s Punjab leadership for their response to Mann’s challenge.
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