Tue Nov 18 11:32:01 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:
Summary:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claims the central government has deferred addressing critical issues concerning Punjab’s rights and resources after he voiced strong opposition at a Northern Zonal Council meeting. These issues include river water sharing with neighboring states, restructuring of Panjab University, and claims from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh on the Bhakra Beas Management Board. Mann also defended Punjab against accusations of causing Delhi’s pollution and proposed solutions for water scarcity, including diverting water from the Chenab and Yamuna rivers.
News Article:
Center Defers Punjab-Related Issues Amid CM Mann’s Strong Opposition
New Delhi – November 18, 2025 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today accused the central government of deferring crucial decisions affecting Punjab’s rights and resources following his forceful intervention at the 32nd Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad.
Speaking at a press conference, CM Mann claimed the central government backpedaled on eleven issues related to Punjab after his objections at the meeting, which was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Key among these are the sharing of river waters with neighboring states, the controversial restructuring of Panjab University, and claims from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
“The Centre has deferred all 11 issues relating to Punjab after I raised the concerns of Punjab and called for maintaining the status quo on the issues concerning Punjab. Will not allow the rights of Punjab to be taken over by anyone,” Mann told reporters.
Mann stated that he vehemently opposed claims made by neighboring states that he believed infringed upon Punjab’s rights. He proposed a radical solution to water scarcity in northern India, suggesting the Indus River Waters Treaty be annulled and 24 MAF of water from the Chenab River be diverted to Punjab and channeled for irrigation across the northern states. He also proposed renaming the SYL canal to YSL (Yamuna-Sutlej Link) canal by diverting Yamuna water to Punjab instead.
Responding to concerns about Delhi’s pollution levels, Mann refuted claims that farm fires in Punjab were the primary cause, labeling accusations as an attempt to tarnish Punjab’s image. He also argued that Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh have no legitimate claims on the BBMB and asserted that Haryana had previously relinquished its claim on Panjab University. He pushed for early elections to the Panjab University Senate to address student concerns.
“River water agreements need to be reviewed every 25 years as neighboring states have made a joke of the waters issue,” Mann said. He also urged the neighboring states and the Centre to share the burden of desilting the Pong dam.
The central government has yet to officially respond to CM Mann’s claims. The issues surrounding water rights and resource allocation among northern states have long been a source of tension, and CM Mann’s assertive stance suggests that these disputes are likely to continue.
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