Bhagwant Mann demanded YSL instead SYL water shortage

Bhagwant Mann demanded YSL instead SYL water shortage. On January 4, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar met in a meeting for the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL). CM Mann claimed that Punjab has no water to share with the neighboring state. He demanded to make the Yamuna-Sutlej Link instead of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link. CM Mann also refused to accept the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act 2004. 

Why is CM Bhagwant Mann not ready for the construction of SYL?

Punjab and Haryana have had three unsuccessful meetings on SYL (including today’s meeting). CM Bhagwant Mann interacted with the media after the meeting, where he said, “Punjab’s 117 blocks out of 150 have come under the Dark Zone, the canal system in the state is outdated because the central government did not provide funds for it. They are just demanding water.”

An alternative was asked for the issue he said, “make YSL instead of SYL. Give Yamuna’s water to Sutlej and there is Haryana situated in between. It will save Sutlej water because the river is already running out of water. We neither have groundwater nor canal water. Haryana is our younger brother, we want them to get water. If Yamuna river water can reach Sharda then why not to Karnal and Rohtak.” 

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s take on the issue

Khattar said that Punjab‘s CM is not ready for the construction of the SYL. They are talking about the distribution of water. While the agenda of the meeting was the construction of the SYL, not water distribution. There is a tribunal that will distribute the water between the two states. CM Khattar said that he will inform the Supreme Court about the issue that Punjab is not ready for the construction of the SYL. Additionally, Punjab is not accepting the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act 2004 which is illegal. 

To conclude, Punjab’s CM Mann is saying that the state has not enough water for them so how can they share with Haryana? Whereas, CM Khattar is saying that water distribution is not on the agenda for the meeting but the construction of SYL is.