New Delhi, March 9
Punjab has rejected Haryana’s objection to its control over the Shahpur Kandi Dam, Modhopur Headworks and Thein Dam/Ranjit Sagar Project contending that the neighbouring state has no legal right to any benefit from these projects.

“Haryana has not been able to demonstrate the existence of its legal right, much less the violation of any alleged legal right,” Punjab said in a statement filed in the Supreme Court in response to the suit filed by the neighbouring state.

The Haryana had pleaded with the SC to restrain Punjab from going ahead with the execution of the Shahpur Kandi project, pending disposal of the case.

Haryana claims the construction of the Shahpur Kandi Dam, the third on the Ravi, would further reduce the flow of water downstream, affecting the lower riparian states. Punjab was going ahead with the work without the consent of Haryana and other states that would be affected, it said.

In the 155-page statement filed by KBS Sidhu, Principal Secretary, Irrigation Department of Punjab, maintained that Haryana had no right to intervene in the matter as it “is neither riparian nor basin to Ravi or Beas, nor a part of the larger Indus basin, as no part of Haryana drains into the said rivers and therefore it has no legal right to be the beneficiary of electricity”.

Haryana was producing hydro power through the Tajewala Hydel Project and Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) I and II “without giving any share in the power to any other riparian or basin states”, Punjab pointed out while rejecting its neighbour’s claim to a share in the electricity generated through the Thein Dam and Shahpur Kandi projects.