“Punjab Will Not Pay to Be Robbed” — CM Mann Slams Centre’s CISF Move at Bhakra Dam
In a fiery address to the media, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of engineering a ploy to “steal” the state’s water by deploying CISF troops at the Bhakra Dam—and asking Punjab to foot the Rs 8.58 crore bill.
ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਗ੍ਰਹਿ ਮੰਤਰਾਲੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ 8 ਕਰੋੜ 58 ਲੱਖ ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਵਾਧੂ ਖ਼ਰਚਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ? ਕੀ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦਾ ਇਰਾਦਾ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਬਲਾਂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਚੋਰੀ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਹੈ? ਅਸੀਂ 24 ਮਈ ਨੂੰ ਹੋਣ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਨੀਤੀ ਆਯੋਗ ਦੀ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ‘ਚ ਵੀ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ।
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केंद्रीय गृह मंत्रालय द्वारा 8 करोड़… pic.twitter.com/ZCi4HcJSqx— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 22, 2025
“This isn’t security, it’s surveillance with an agenda,” said CM Mann, voicing the state’s staunch refusal to pay for what he called a “draconian move” by the BJP-led Centre. “We won’t pay a single penny to fund our own exploitation.”
Mann claimed the move is part of a broader campaign to rob Punjab of its resources while refusing to recognize its contributions—from feeding the nation to defending its borders. “When we fight terror, we pay. When we ask for our rights, we’re punished,” he said, alluding to past incidents like the Dinanagar terror attack, after which the Centre billed Punjab Rs 7.5 crore for paramilitary deployment.
“From Fields to Frontlines, Punjab Always Pays”
The Chief Minister didn’t hold back in accusing the Centre of double standards. “Punjab provides the food, the soldiers, the backbone—but in return, we’re denied our own water and asked to fund federal decisions we didn’t make,” he stated.
He criticized the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), calling it a “puppet of the Centre,” accusing it of working in lockstep with the BJP to dilute Punjab’s stake in its own water. “Why should we pay for CISF when Punjab Police is already guarding the dam for free?” Mann asked.
The dam, under CISF watch as per orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs, is at the heart of a deepening political battle over water rights in the region.
A Political Challenge to Rivals
Mann didn’t mince words when calling out his political rivals. He dared BJP allies and defectors like Captain Amarinder Singh, Manpreet Badal, and Sunil Jakhar to clarify their stand. “Speak now or be remembered for betraying Punjab’s waters,” he said.
“A War on Federalism and the Constitution”
The CM accused the Centre of dismantling India’s federal structure, using governors as roadblocks to elected state governments and hollowing out constitutional bodies. “The Centre is drunk on power. They may soon try to erase Punjab’s name from the national anthem,” he quipped sarcastically.
He also highlighted the economic pinch the state is facing—delayed RDF funds, reduced credit limits, and now the CISF bill. “It’s clear discrimination,” Mann said, pointing out that non-BJP states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have also taken the Centre to court over withheld funds.
A Call for a New Water Policy
As water levels in Punjab continue to fall, Mann called for a review of every water-sharing agreement every 25 years. “We have restarted routine water sharing with Haryana, but not a single drop beyond the agreed quota will be given,” he emphasized.
“Enough is Enough”
Wrapping up, CM Mann painted a bleak picture of how Punjab is being treated despite its sacrifices. “From martyrdom on borders to toil in the fields—Punjab gives everything. But we will not pay to be insulted, ignored, and robbed.”
The state, he asserted, stands united against the Centre’s moves and will defend its rights tooth and nail.