Haryana and Punjab CMs Confer in Crucial Summit Over SYL Canal Dispute

In a critical development, the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab, Bhagwant Mann and Manohar Lal Khattar, respectively, will meet today to discuss the longstanding Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issue. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will chair the meeting in response to the Central Government’s request, with a survey report scheduled for presentation before the Supreme Court in January 2024.

The meeting, set at the Taj Hotel in Chandigarh, will be presided over by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction on October 4th, noting that Punjab had not initiated the construction of its portion of the SYL Canal. The Court warned of potential intervention if Punjab does not propose a resolution promptly.

During the hearing, the Court directed the Central Government to survey the allocated land for the project in Punjab to ensure its preservation and facilitate mediation between the two states. Further hearings on the SYL issue are scheduled for January.

Decades-Old Dispute:

The SYL Canal project has been a source of contention between Haryana and Punjab for decades. Punjab argues it lacks sufficient water resources to share with Haryana, while Haryana emphasizes the vital importance of the SYL Canal project for its water needs.

This meeting is significant, potentially paving the way for a resolution to the protracted SYL Canal dispute. The involvement of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat underscores the Central Government’s commitment to facilitating a fair and equitable solution.