SYL dispute: Punjab CM bats for Yamuna-Sutlej link as 5th round of talks ends in deadlock
The crucial meeting, held in New Delhi between Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini and Union jal shakti minister CR Patil, came ahead of the Supreme Court hearing in the matter on August 13.
Batting for Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal, Mann said the central government must shelve the SYL canal. 'Punjab should get Yamuna water too. For this, the long-conceived Sarda-Yamuna Link project needs to be taken up on priority. The Centre must ensure diversion of Chenab water to Beas river to eliminate the need for the SYL canal,' he said.
The May 12, 1994 memorandum of understanding for allocation of Yamuna waters between Delhi, UP, HP and Rajasthan is to be reviewed after 2025, Mann said. 'Punjab should be included as a partner state of Yamuna waters allocations,' he suggested.
Mann said Haryana has enough scope to get additional waters from other sources which also needs to be accounted for, adding that the neighbouring state is receiving 2.703 million acre foot (MAF) from Ghaggar, Tangri, Markanda, Saraswati, Chautang-Rakshi, Nai Nalah, Sahibi, Krishna Duhan and Landoha Nalah.
The Punjab CM said that land for the SYL canal is not available as of today. 'Also, out of 34.34 MAF water of three rivers, Punjab was allocated only 14.22 MAF, which is 40%. 'The remaining 60% water was allocated to Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, even though none of these rivers actually flow through these states,' he said.
While Saini at a post-meeting briefing said Haryana will present its case in a solution-oriented manner before the apex court on August 13, Mann reiterated that the central government should divert the water of Chenab river to Ranjit Sagar, Pong and Bhakra dams so that it can be utilised to resolve long-pending water dispute between the two states. 'Using Chenab water will reduce Punjab's dependence on groundwater and revive surface irrigation supporting the peasantry,' said Mann, restating Punjab's stance that it was facing severe groundwater depletion.
The Punjab CM said during the July 9 meeting, the central government had informed that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan had been suspended. The development has created an opportunity for India to utilise water from Chenab, Mann said. Saini, on the other hand, said the Indus Waters Treaty was a separate subject and in this context Rajasthan will also be entitled to its share of water. 'We are confident that a fair and favourable resolution will be achieved. The last round of talks had already indicated a positive shift. This time, we have moved a step further. The discussions were held in an even more constructive environment,' the Haryana CM said.
The SC on May 6 had directed the two states to cooperate with the central government in arriving at an amicable solution to the dispute. 'In case the issue is not resolved amicably between the parties, we propose to take up the matter on August 13, 2025,' the apex court had said.
Haryana government is pressing for the implementation of apex court's orders to complete the remaining portion of the canal by Punjab. The top court in its January 15, 2002 and June 4, 2004 judgments had ordered completion of the remaining portion of canal in Punjab territory. Conceived in 1978 to bring Haryana's share of Ravi-Beas water, the proposed 212-kilometre long SYL canal consisted of two segments, a 91-kilometre channel in Haryana and a 121 kilometre carrier channel in Punjab. Haryana completed its portion of the channel in 1979 at a cost of ₹56 crore, but Punjab has failed to complete the canal in its territory despite Supreme Court directions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
CM: TN has double digit growth of 11.19%
Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin said TN has become the fastest growing state in the country overcoming multiple challenges. Citing a Union ministry of statistics report, Stalin said on Wednesday that TN's economic growth rate has touched 11.19%, surging past the previous estimate of 9.69%. State has achieved the double digit growth rate after 14 years, he said after distributing appointment orders to youth recruited by state municipal administration department. "We have reached the milestone after crossing multiple hurdles and slander," Stalin said. He said DMK would not remain content with this accomplishment, but would take efforts to reach higher up, through concerted efforts in Dravidian model govt 2.0. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "When we set the target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, many raised their eyebrows. It's too ambitious, they said. But with growth like this, what once seemed distant is now well within reach," he posted on X. State finance minister Thangam Thennarasu attributed the double-digit growth rate to financial prudence. "Double digit growth rate in real terms is yet another feather in the hat of Dravidian model govt. The growth was possible due to our financial prudence. We have not only boosted our GSDP but boosted the economy of the country as well," Thennarasu told reporters at Anna Arivalayam.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Central govt. has released over ₹8,000 cr. for Chennai Metro Rail's phase II project
The Centre has released more than ₹8,000 crore for the construction of the Chennai Metro Rail's upcoming phase II project. This year, the Centre has so far allocated ₹3,000 crore for the project. The fund for the phase II project, ₹63,246 crore, is drawn from the Centre, State, and bilateral and multilateral loans. Minister of State for Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, while responding to a question in the Lok Sabha about the funds allocated and released for the implementation of Metro Rail projects in the country, shared the funds released for Chennai Metro Rail project as well. The Centre released ₹5,219.57 crore in 2024-25 for the phase II project, whose network will connect major parts of the city, with its three corridors — Madhavaram to SIPCOT, Light House to Poonamallee, and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur. For 2025-2026, the Centre has allocated ₹8,445.8 crore. Of this, ₹3,000 crore has been released. Meanwhile, the phase II project has achieved a physical progress of 44.33%. In response to another question by AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai in the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Sahu said, 'The Central government has approved Chennai Metro Rail's phase-II project as 50:50 Joint Venture Project, for 118.9 km at a cost of ₹63,246.4 crore in October 2024. Physical and financial progress of the project as on June 30, 2025, is 44.33% and 40.43% respectively.' Chennai Metro Rail officials are preparing to inaugurate the first elevated stretch of corridor 4, from Poonamallee to Porur, by December this year. The next stretch is expected to operate in 2026.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Shinde meets Modi, targets Uddhav on INDIA bloc talks as both Sena chiefs signal national alignments
In what is being seen as symbolism and political posturing, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and reaffirmed his party's ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). At a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray was also in New Delhi, Shinde attacked the former for aligning with the INDIA bloc and exploring a tie-up with the MNS ahead of civic body polls. While Shinde and his family met PM Modi at the latter's official residence, Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray were in the national capital scheduled to attend an INDIA bloc meeting on Thursday. The presence of both Sena chiefs in Delhi — with each meeting their respective alliance partners — served as a clear reflection of their sharpening political identities and positioning at the national level. Sources also confirmed that Shinde had a closed-door 30-minute meeting with PM Modi without aides, during which state-related issues and electoral strategy were discussed. 'We took the path of Lok Kalyan Marg shown by Balasaheb, they went to 10 Janpath,' Shinde said after meeting the PM. 'That clearly shows who is following Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. People of the country are are doing things Balasaheb never approved of,' he said, launching a scathing attack on Uddhav. Shinde also emphasized that the Shiv Sena was the fourth largest ally of the NDA. He accused Uddhav of 'sailing in two boats' by holding talks with INDIA bloc leaders while simultaneously keeping the door open for an alliance with Raj Thackeray's MNS. 'Only someone who has lost confidence in himself does that. In a democracy, everyone has the right to form alliances and coalitions. However, some people, having lost the trust of the public and are trying to balance on two stones,' he said in a veiled reference to Uddhav. 'People vote for those who work; those who sit at home are kept at home by the public,' he said. 'When Veer Savarkar was being insulted, they remained silent because they abandoned Hindutva,' Shinde said. Taking another swipe, he added, 'Shiv Sena is a party for public welfare, while their group is a private limited company.' During the meeting with PM, Shinde, accompanied by his wife Lata Shinde, son and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, and daughter-in-law Vrushali Shinde, presented PM Modi with a specially commissioned painting of Lord Mahadev, crafted by acclaimed artist Kishor Nandivdekar. The gift, Shinde said, symbolised the successful 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Operation Mahadev', India's retaliatory strikes against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Just as Lord Mahadev vanquished evil, our armed forces under the Prime Minister's leadership eliminated the terrorists,' he said. The painting, he added, was a tribute to that national effort and resolve. Earlier in the day, Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and praised him for becoming the longest-serving Home Minister in the country's history. 'He fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by abrogating Article 370, crushed terrorism through Operation Mahadev, and strengthened the cooperative sector. His leadership is decisive and efficient,' Shinde said. Reiterating his Sena's political stand, Shinde announced that the Shiv Sena will support the NDA's candidate in the upcoming vice-presidential election and contest local body polls in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti alliance. 'Just like we fought the Assembly elections together, we'll go into civic polls united,' he said. Shinde used the occasion to question Uddhav Thackeray's Hindutva credentials, accusing him of abandoning the ideology and remaining silent on insults to Veer Savarkar. 'They gave up Hindutva. They stayed silent when Savarkar was insulted. That's why people won't stand by them,' he said. Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shinde added, 'Questioning the Army's bravery, defaming India and the PM abroad, speaking the language of Pakistan — is not patriotism but love for Pakistan.' Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray's camp maintained its engagement with the INDIA alliance and met NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi. A day earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi met PM Modi, though both sides termed it a courtesy call. Uddhav is expected to join Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders for a strategy dinner ahead of the bloc's formal meeting. In a separate development, Shinde addressed public concerns over the relocation of a 36-year-old elephant named Madhuri from a Jain Math in Maharashtra to Gujarat's Vantara centre. He said the state government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court. 'The government respects public sentiment. Both Maharashtra and Vantara will be parties to the case,' he said.
