Chandigarh, May 2 -- The historic Punjab-Haryana water issue assumed a new twist today with the Punjab Government hosting an all-party meeting to protest against the so-called unfair distribution of river waters by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in Punjab Bhawan at Chandigarh, was attended by leaders from all parties and ended with an imminent joint press conference.

The conference was convened after Punjab cut back the daily release of water to Haryana from 8,500 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs, which move has been opposed by Haryana. Punjab maintains that Haryana has already consumed its quota of 4.4 million acre-feet (MAF) for the year and points to low water levels in ...