Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Friday said that under a 1954 agreement, Punjab is entitled to two-thirds of the Yamuna River water, while Uttar Pradesh is entitled to the remaining one-third. Speaking before the Punjab Assembly’s special session resumed, Cheema criticized past governments.

He said, Over the years, political parties like the Congress and SAD-BJP have deliberately ignored this issue. They chose not to bring it up.Cheema stated that the central government must first resolve the Yamuna water dispute before asking Punjab to share Satluj River water.

He also accused the previous Congress-led Charanjit Channi government of compromising Punjab’s interests by spending ₹50 crore on CISF security for the Bhakra Dam, which he said weakened Punjab’s control over the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) waters.Cheema further alleged that the SAD government also failed to protect Punjab’s rights to Yamuna water.

He pointed out that the 1972 Irrigation Commission had clearly shown that major Punjab districts like Sangrur and Patiala lie in the Yamuna basin.
“Instead of giving Punjab its rightful share, the Centre is asking for more water for Haryana. They must resolve old disputes before discussing Satluj water,” Cheema said.