5 min readChandigarhUpdated: Jan 5, 2023 06:05 AM IST
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chairs the meeting with Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann in New Delhi on Wednesday. @PunjabGovtIndia
Not a drop of water to share, construct YSL & revive Sutlej too, Mann tells Shekhawat
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The much-awaited meeting over Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) between Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers Bhagwant Mann and Manohar Lal Khattar, respectively, in presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at Jal Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday yet again remained inconclusive, with Mann stating that Punjab did not have a drop of water to share and the Centre should look at some other alternative.
Even as Khattar said that the SYL canal should be built and the Haryana government will apprise the Supreme Court about Punjab’s reluctant attitude over the issue, Mann proposed in the meeting that he had an alternative solution to the contentious problem – to construct a YSL (Yamuna Sutlej Link) to supply water to Sutlej from Yamuna so that Punjab’s river, which is just a trickle now, could also be revived.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mann said, “They asked me about the alternative to SYL. I told them that they should have a YSL (Yamuna Sutlej Link) instead. Give water to Sutlej through Yamuna. Give water to Haryana also but save our Sutlej. It is just a trickle now. Sutlej does not have water for a single canal. The water from Ganga and Yamuna should also be given to Punjab and Haryana. We have no issues if water is given to Haryana through YSL.”
He said that the Supreme Court had in its order asked the states to find an amicable solution to the problem or look for an alternative. “I am going with the alternative. Construct a YSL. We cannot allow construction of SYL as we do not have even a drop of water to share,” Mann added.
During the meeting in New Delhi, Wednesday. PTI
He also demanded a fresh tribunal to assess the availability of water stating that Haryana was getting more water despite Punjab having a 60% share vis-a-vis Haryana’s 40%.
Mann said, “The case is in the Supreme Court. We have presented our version. I will say once again that how can we give something that we do not have? Our aquifers have dried up. So are our canals. We have Punj-Aab in name only. Otherwise we do not have water. Haryana is our younger brother. We want the neighbouring state to get water, but it should get it from Yamuna and Ganga. If Yamuna can go to Sharda then why can’t it go to Karnal? Why can’t it go to Rohtak? They are encouraging their farmers to grow paddy on more areas. But to us they are saying – stop growing paddy and give them water. How can this be done? As CM of the state and a representative of 3 crore people, I have put forth the state of affairs.”
The Punjab CM also said, “We do not have water. How can we construct SYL if we do not have water? Punjab had 17.17 MAF (million acre feet) of water from 1921 to 1960 flow series. It was reduced to 13.25 MAF in the 1981 to 2021 flow series. The tribunal that assessed water is 33 years old. The international laws say that the availability of water should be reviewed every 25 years. Out of 12.24 MAF in Sutlej, 8.02 MAF comes in Punjab’s share and 4.33 MAF is going to Haryana. Punjab is not getting a drop from Yamuna, while Haryana is getting 4.65 MAF from Yamuna. Similarly, Punjab is not getting a drop from Sharda, while Haryana is getting 1.62 MAF from it.”
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He added, “Out of 159 blocks, 117 of these (78%) are in dark zone. Our aquifers have dried up. Our canal system dates back to pre-Independence era. Even Moga farmers (Moga is considered centre point of the state) say that they are at the tail end. If Moga is at the tail end that means water is not reaching there. The Centre has not given us a single rupee for canals. They keep asking us for water. How can we give water when our canals are all dried up. We should be given funds so that we can run water in them. There are 14 lakh tubewells in the state. We pull out 3,800 litres of water to produce 1 kg of rice. We are not exporting rice to the country but water. We have given our water. Now, when other states have also started growing paddy, FCI tells us to grow something else.”
The CM said that the next hearing is on March 4. By that time the tribunal should check availability of water.
The meeting was called by Shekhawat after a meeting between Mann and Khattar in October remained inconclusive.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More
During the meeting in New Delhi, Wednesday. PTI