Bathinda: A rift has emerged within the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella organisation for about 500 farmer outfits, over demands to repeal Sections 78, 79 and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which govern interstate river water sharing and hydro-power management from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects.While the SKM’s Punjab unit is holding a week-long protest in Chandigarh till Monday demanding the abrogation of these sections, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), one of the state’s largest farm unions, has refused to join, launching separate demonstrations outside the offices of deputy commissioners.SKM functionaries, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, argue the provisions violate federalism and riparian principles by granting the central govt control over Punjab’s water resources.“We are not against any other state but strongly want to protect the rights of Punjab over its water as per riparian law. Punjab has no spare water to be shared with anyone and we want to save the state’s water for future generations,“ said SKM‘s Rajewal and Baldev Singh Nihalgarh.SKM had spearheaded the struggle against the now repealed farm laws at the borders of Delhi in 2020-21.Other farmer outfits, including SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, also favour state control or claiming royalties for shared water.On the other hand, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan warned that raking up the issue risks alienating farmers in neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan.“We feel this is not in the spirit of national collective approach as it may cause differences between farm groups from Punjab, Haryana and even Rajasthan. It is time for a joint and bigger fight as the central govt is coming out with anti-farmer issues, mainly free trade agreements by including farm and dairy sectors. We should avoid issues which cause heartburn among stakeholders in different states,“ Ugrahan told TOI.Punjab Reorganisation Act was enacted on Sept 18, 1966, and came into force on Nov 1, 1966, as Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were carved out of Punjab and Chandigarh designated as Union Territory to be joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana.BOXCENTRAL ROLE ON BBMB PROJECTSSection 78 | Rights and liabilities in regard to Bhakra-Nangal, Beas projects, and water sharing. Sets out the rights and liabilities of successor states (Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan) regarding the water and power generated from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects. Proportions are decided via mutual agreement with central consultation or determined by the central govt if states fail to agree within two years.Section 79 | Bhakra management board empowers the central govt to create the Bhakra Management Board (rechristened as Beas Management Board or BBMB) to handle the administration, maintenance and operation of specific headworks, power houses and reservoirs like the Bhakra and Nangal dams.Section 80 | Construction of Beas project. Provides for the construction, maintenance and operation of the Beas project units through designated boards or central direction. It gives the Centre authority to oversee completion and coordinate water releases among participating states.Political parties and various farmer organisations argue these sections infringe on state constitutional rights over water and irrigation by transferring management over water to the central bodies and are behind long-standing disputes like the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.
