As Punjab completes 60 years since its reorganisation (Foundation Day) on Sunday (November 1), its long-running disputes over river waters have returned to the centre of state politics, with the government seeking to reopen decades-old sharing arrangements.

The issue gained fresh momentum on Tuesday (October 27), when the Punjab Assembly passed five resolutions seeking an equitable share in Yamuna waters; Rs 1.44 lakh crore in royalty from Rajasthan for the use of Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas waters; control over key headworks; repeal of the Dam Safety Act, 2021; and projects to utilise Ravi waters flowing towards Pakistan.

The move followed a written assurance given by the state government to protesting farmers on September 7, after a weeklong protest near Chandigarh .…