Punjab’s water disputes with its neighbouring states (Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh) are likely to dominate the proceedings at the 22nd standing committee meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, scheduled to be held in Shimla on June 24.The issues of reduced water supply to the Bhakra Main Branch Sangatpura and other channels from Haryana, which affects water supply to villages in Bathinda and Mansa; establishment and maintenance charges for the Bhakra Main Line to be paid by Haryana; flow of industrial waste from Baddi into the Sutlej via Sirsa river; levy of cess by Himachal on hydropower projects; and Rajasthan’s demand for appointing one of its officials as member of the Bhakra Beas Management Board and maintaining full reservoir level at Bhakra and Pong dams, are expected to be discussed at the meeting.Punjab will also demand that Jammu & Kashmir should share the project cost of the Ranjit Sagar Dam. It will demand the release of Rs 970. 34 crore by it.Sources say Punjab will also have to respond to the water-related issues that Haryana has flagged. These include Haryana’s claim of short supply of water at the Bhakra Main Line and Narwana Branch. The neighbouring state is alleging a deficit of about 700-1,000 cusecs against gauge readings at these points. Punjab will be denying the charge, stating there is average deviation of 959 cusecs, which means the actual discharge from the Nangal Hydel Channel is less than the recorded discharge.Haryana is also likely to raise concerns about the construction of the proposed Malwa canal and reiterate its demand for getting project details, besides insisting that Punjab will have to seek its consent for the construction.In reply, Punjab is likely to contend that the state bears the brunt of floods during the monsoon and only excess water is released towards Pakistan, as Haryana and Rajasthan refused to bail out the state during the 2023 and 2025 floods.