Chandigarh

Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the Punjab government will seek royalty from Rajasthan for supplying water, claiming that dues amounting to around ₹1.44 lakh crore remain unpaid.

Referring to a 1920 tripartite agreement involving the British government, Bahawalpur (now in Pakistan) and the erstwhile Bikaner princely state, Mann said Rajasthan has been receiving water under that arrangement.

He noted that Rajasthan currently draws about 18,000 cusecs of water through the Rajasthan feeder.

According to Mann, Rajasthan paid royalty to Punjab until 1960 but discontinued payments thereafter. “We have calculated an outstanding amount of ₹1.44 lakh crore at old rates since 1960,” he said.

The chief minister asserted that if Rajasthan questions the validity of the agreement, it should also reconsider drawing water under it.

Mann said the Punjab government has written to the Rajasthan government seeking discussions on the issue and plans to involve the Centre as well.

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“The 1920 agreement has not been terminated. We will demand royalty,” he added.