Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have refused to accept further cut on water release by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), saying that crop must be saved first.

“Partnering States (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan) have not agreed to take further cut on water,” an official of BBMB said here. A 10 per cent cut on water release is already in place on partnering States with effect from July 17 onwards. The cut was announced in the wake of deficient rain by the BBMB.