“Punjab will burn if Sutlej-Yamuna Canal built”: Amarinder Singh to centre over water sharing

Meeting Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat through a video link, Punjab CM Amarinder SIngh argued that the SYL canal issue could disturb national security.

The water dispute had started in 1966 when Punjab and Haryana states came into existence. Haryana had demanded a large chunk of river water which Punjab refused to provide, contending it didn’t have surplus water. The Indira Gandhi government in 1975, by way of an executive order, had divided the water between the two states and commissioned the canal to facilitate sharing.

The meeting on Tuesday was held on the directions of the Supreme Court, which asked the two chief ministers last month to discuss the completion of the SYL canal, which is in the works for several decades.

Punjab is reluctant to share water with Haryana through the SYL canal project, saying it has nothing to spare. Amarinder Singh reiterated the need for a tribunal for a time-bound assessment of river water availability.

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, however, said whatever be the outcome of deliberations, the state would put it up before the apex court.

“There is no doubt the SYL must be constructed, as this is also the verdict of the SC. Whatever comes out of these meetings will be brought to the notice of the SC,” he said. The next meeting is likely in the next few days.