Beas Management Board – Punjab minister Barinder Kumar Goyal (file photo) Punjab minister and senior AAP leader Barinder Kumar Goyal on Tuesday criticized the Himachal Pradesh Congress government for allegedly imposing an “illegal” financial burden of Rs 500 crore on the Bhakra Beas Management Board. Addressing a press conference here, Goyal, who holds the water resources portfolio, also said the proposed “new cess” is against federal principles and has no legal basis.

He claimed that the move, which will directly harm the interests of Punjab, is a conspiracy against the state. The minister said that earlier also the Himachal Pradesh government had tried to impose water cess, which was withdrawn after it was challenged as it was illegal.

“After the previous attempt failed, the Congress government has come up with another arbitrary fee without explaining under which law it has been imposed,” he said. The tax, which was later reduced to 2 percent, was eventually announced as Rs 500 crore as the state’s share.

Calling the decision unconstitutional, Goyal said Punjab has a major stake in BBMB and the levy will adversely impact the state. The Punjab government had written to the BBMB calling the levy illegal and unacceptable, adding, “We will fight this issue before the BBMB, in the courts and at every appropriate forum,” Goyal said.

The minister also made historical allegations against Congress. Punjab’s interests are being harmed especially on the water issue. He criticized Punjab Congress leaders for remaining silent on the issue and alleged that they were not standing up for the state.

The AAP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not allow any injustice or financial exploitation to happen to Punjab and will strongly oppose any illegal cess. PTI.