Union Minister Bittu Demands FIR Against Punjab CM and Education Minister Over BBMB Chairman's Detention
Chandigarh, May 8, 2025 – Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, has called for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Bains, accusing them of illegally detaining the chairman of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and acting against national interests.
The demand comes amid escalating tensions over water-sharing disputes between Punjab and Haryana, particularly following the BBMB’s decision to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, which Punjab has strongly opposed. Ravneet Singh criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for what he described as "dramatizing" the issue for political gain, especially when the matter is already under judicial review in the High Courts and the Supreme Court.
“The country is going through a tough period, and the Chief Minister is worried about his media space,” Ravneet Singh said. “The BBMB chairman can go to his office or rest house. Will the chairman himself open or close the gates of the dam? When it is clearly stated that not a single drop of water will be given to any state, why is the Punjab CM and the AAP dramatizing the whole issue?”
The Union Minister’s statement follows reports of Punjab’s actions to restrict water releases, including Chief Minister Mann’s visit to the Nangal Dam, where he reportedly locked downstream gates to prevent water flow to Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Punjab has argued that it faces a severe water shortage and cannot spare additional water, while Haryana insists on receiving its allocated share as decided by the BBMB.
The controversy has sparked a political firestorm, with Punjab’s all-party meeting, led by Mann, unanimously opposing the BBMB’s water allocation decision. Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has accused Punjab of obstructing its rightful share of water, labeling the actions as “unconstitutional.”
As the dispute intensifies, Ravneet Singh’s call for an FIR adds a new dimension to the conflict, raising questions about the legality of Punjab’s actions and their implications for inter-state relations and national interests. The Punjab government has yet to respond to the Union Minister’s allegations.