Punjab vs. Rajasthan: The ₹1.44 Lakh Crore Water Dispute 🌊💸

Описание: The Punjab government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, has sparked a major controversy by demanding a staggering ₹1.44 lakh crore from Rajasthan for water used over the decades. This demand is based on a 1920 tripartite agreement between the then-state of Bikaner, Punjab, and the British, which required payment for river water. Punjab currently leads India with a 44-47% Debt-to-GSDP ratio, and this bold claim is seen as an attempt to recover from its massive financial crisis. However, the move has faced severe criticism, as the Beas and Ravi rivers now primarily flow from Himachal Pradesh—meaning Punjab is technically using another state's water while demanding payment from Rajasthan. 📉🚫

The dispute is further complicated by the Supreme Court’s 1996 ruling in M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath, which established that natural resources like air and water belong to the public and should be available free of cost. With Punjab’s debt mounting and water scarcity rising, this "royalty" demand has become a flashpoint for federal relations and resource management in India. As of early 2026, the issue remains a heated legal and political battle between the AAP-led Punjab and the neighboring BJP-ruled states. 💬⚖️

Do you think states should be allowed to charge each other for natural resources like water, or should they be considered a national asset shared for the common good? 💬👇

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