Latest news with #Yamuna-SutlejLink
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SYL dispute: Punjab CM bats for Yamuna-Sutlej link as 5th round of talks ends in deadlock
The fifth round of talks between the Centre, Punjab and Haryana governments on Tuesday to resolve the decades-old Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal dispute remained inconclusive. Union jal shakti minister CR Patil with Punjab and Haryana CMs Bhagwant Mann and Nayab Singh Saini in New Delhi. (HT photo) 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.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mann meets Saini, wants YSL instead of SYL
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday struck divergent notes on the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. While the former said Punjab did not have spare water to share with any other state, Saini expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved soon, asserting the Punjab government also seeks a solution to the problem. Mann meets Saini, wants YSL instead of SYL Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil convened a meeting with the two chief ministers in a bid to resolve the decades-old SYL canal dispute. On May 6, the Supreme Court had directed the two states to cooperate with the Centre in arriving at an amicable solution. According to a statement from Mann's office, the chief minister in the meeting mooted the idea of a Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal instead of the SYL canal as the Sutlej river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water from it. Rather, water from the Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through the Sutlej, Mann said. 'The long-conceived project of Sarda-Yamuna Link needs to be taken up on priority and surplus water be transferred to river Yamuna at a suitable location…,' he said. The AAP leader said SYL canal is an 'emotive issue' for Punjab and added that land is not available for the project. He also said the opportunity that has opened up with the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan must be duly utilised to fulfil the water needs of the state. Efforts should be made to bring water from the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) to meet the growing demand, he added. The Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan governing the use of the Indus river system, was suspended by India following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Haryana CM Saini said a meaningful discussion took place in a cordial atmosphere in the meeting, adding that it was decided that the next meeting will take place on August 5. He further said that Mann also acknowledged that this issue should be resolved, as it has remained pending for far too long. 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, but Punjab has failed to complete the canal in its territory despite Supreme Court directions.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab should get Yamuna water too: CM Bhagwant Mann at Niti Aayog meet
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday flagged the water-sharing dispute with Haryana and a 'biased' approach against the border state, as he denounced the Centre over the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Nangal dam and sought its immediate removal. Raising concerns over the Union government's treatment of Punjab at the 10th governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, Mann said that 'discriminatory' actions against the state are 'unjustified'. In a statement, Mann said Punjab had no surplus water to give to any state and called for the construction of the Yamuna-Sutlej-Link (YSL) Canal instead of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal to allay the 'grim' situation. 'Instead of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, a Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) Canal should be mooted. Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers are already water-deficient. There is a need to divert water from surplus to deficit basins,' the CM said. Also Read | BBMB releases water to Haryana, Punjab CM advises judicious use Punjab and Haryana have been at loggerheads over the distribution of water with the AAP government refusing to share additional water from the Bhakra dam. Mann argued that if Haryana claims water from the Ravi and Beas, Punjab has an equal right to Yamuna waters, and must be included in future negotiations, citing a pact under the Yamuna-Sutlej-Link project signed between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh on March 12, 1954, which had entitled the state to two-thirds of the Yamuna's water. He said that now, with the upgraded canal structure, Punjab is running short of water and even its share from the rivers is not enough to meet its needs. Also Read | Mann opposes Centre's move to deploy CISF at Nangal dam The CM claimed Punjab had been very liberal in sharing water with the partner states to meet their drinking water and other needs, even as the state relied upon its groundwater reserves to meet its demands, particularly to irrigate the paddy. As a result, the groundwater level in the state has depleted to a great extent, so much so that 115 blocks out of its 153 blocks (76.10%) are over-exploited, the highest among all states, Mann said. The CM alleged that the BBMB, despite repeated requests, did not advise other partner states to regulate the release of water to Haryana, and as a result, it exhausted its share by March 30. On humanitarian grounds, Punjab decided to release 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana, however, the BBMB ignored Punjab's interests and decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana despite serious objections, Mann added, terming the action against the spirit and provisions of the law and sought the BBMB be advised to restrain itself and act within the law. Also Read | Mann defends appointment of Delhi leaders to key posts The CM also claimed that officials of Punjab in the BBMB were being 'marginalised' and 'ignored' and sought that it be advised to adopt a transparent and neutral approach in its dealings with the two states. On the deployment of the CISF at the Bhakra-Nangal dams, Mann said security of the dams has been the sole responsibility of the states since their construction. He said the deployment by the Union ministry of power is an unnecessary step as there is no need to disturb a well-established operational setup as it further 'degrades' the rights of Punjab with respect to these dams.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No surplus water for other states, BBMB has biased approach: Punjab CM Mann at Niti Aayog meeting
CHANDIGARH: Taking part in the meeting of the 10th Governing Council of the Niti Aayog on Saturday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reiterated that Punjab has no surplus water for other states. Mann said that in the wake of the grim water situation in the state, the Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal should be considered for construction instead of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. He said the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers are already in deficit and water should be diverted from surplus to deficit basins. He said Punjab has repeatedly requested to be included in negotiations for the allocation of Yamuna waters as a pact for the Yamuna-Sutlej Link project was signed between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh on March 12, 1954 which entitled the erstwhile Punjab to two-thirds of the Yamuna waters. Mann said this agreement did not specify any particular area to be irrigated by Yamuna waters, adding that before the re-organization, the Yamuna river, like the Ravi and Beas, flowed through the erstwhile state of Punjab. However, he bemoaned that while apportioning the river waters between Punjab and Haryana, the Yamuna waters were not considered, whereas the waters of Ravi and Beas were duly taken into account. Citing a 1972 report by the Irrigation Commission, constituted by the Centre, Mann said it states that Punjab (post-1966, after its reorganization) falls within the Yamuna River Basin. Hence, if Haryana has a claim over the waters of the Ravi and Beas rivers, Punjab should also have an equal claim on the Yamuna waters, he insisted. Mann said these requests have been ignored, adding that due to non-construction of storage structures on the Yamuna river, the water is being wasted. He urged that Punjab's claim should be considered during the revision of this agreement, and the state should be given its due rights to Yamuna waters. Alleging that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has a biased approach, he said it was constituted under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, with the mandate to regulate the supply of water and power from the Bhakra, Nangal and Beas projects to the partner states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh. He said that in the past, Punjab had been very liberal in sharing water with the partner states to meet their drinking water and other genuine requirements. Punjab was relying upon its groundwater reserves to meet its demand of water, particularly for the paddy crop.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Facing crisis, Punjab has no water to share: CM Mann to NITI Aayog
New Delhi: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday clarified that Punjab has no surplus water for any state, including Haryana, owing to the water crisis. Taking part in the meeting of the 10th Governing Council of the NITI Aayog here, the Chief Minister said in the wake of the grim situation of water in the state, the Yamuna-Sutlej-Link (YSL) canal should be considered for construction instead of the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Mann said the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers are already in deficit, and water should be diverted from surplus to deficit basins. He said Punjab has repeatedly requested to be included in negotiations for the allocation of Yamuna waters, as a pact for the Yamuna-Sutlej Link project was signed between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh on March 12, 1954, which entitled the erstwhile Punjab to two-thirds of the Yamuna waters. The Chief Minister said this agreement did not specify any particular area to be irrigated by Yamuna waters, adding that before the reorganisation, the Yamuna, like the Ravi and the Beas, flowed through the erstwhile state of Punjab. However, he said while apportioning the river waters between Punjab and Haryana, the Yamuna waters were not considered, whereas the waters of the Ravi and the Beas were duly taken into account. Citing a 1972 report by the Irrigation Commission, constituted by the Government of India, Mann said it states that Punjab (post-1966, after its reorganisation) falls within the Yamuna river basin. Therefore, the Chief Minister said that if Haryana has a claim over the waters of the Ravi and the Beas, Punjab should also have an equal claim on the Yamuna waters. He said these requests have been ignored, adding that due to the non-construction of a storage structure on the Yamuna, water is going to waste. Therefore, Mann pleaded that Punjab's claim should be considered during the revision of this agreement, and Punjab should be given its due rights to Yamuna waters. Raising the issue of bias approach of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the Chief Minister said the board was constituted under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganization Act of 1966 with the mandate to regulate the supply of water and power from the Bhakra, Nangal and Beas projects to the partner states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh. Mann said that in the past, Punjab has been very liberal in sharing water with the partner states to meet their drinking water and other genuine requirements, as Punjab was relying upon its groundwater reserves to meet its demand for water, particularly for the paddy crop. He said that as a result, the groundwater level has depleted to a huge extent, so much so that 115 blocks out of 153 blocks of Punjab (76.10 per cent) are over-exploited, adding this percentage is the highest amongst all the states in the country. The Chief Minister said now with the upgraded canal structure, Punjab itself is running short of its water requirement, and even its water share in the river waters is not sufficient to meet these requirements. Despite repeated requests, he said the BBMB did not take any action to advise the other partner states to regulate the release of water to Haryana, and as a result, it exhausted its share by March 30. Mann said, considering the request of the government of Haryana on humanitarian grounds, the state decided to release 4,000 cusecs of water out of Punjab's share to meet its drinking water requirement, though Haryana has only a genuine demand of 1,700 cusecs of water. However, the Chief Minister said the BBMB ignored the interest of Punjab and decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana despite serious objections raised by Punjab. He said this is against the spirit and provisions of the law, as the BBMB has taken this decision of taking Punjab's water against its consent, adding that the BBMB should be advised to restrain itself and act as per the provisions of law.
