SYL canal standoff: Haryana CM Khattar calls Punjab’s Mann govt a ‘do-muhi sarkar’

“The Mann government is a do-muhi sarkar as it gives contradictory statements on the SYL issue. Instead of finding an amicable solution to this issue, the Punjab government is shedding crocodile tears. The Supreme Court has given a three-month deadline to the central government to take possession of the land which has been acquired. I urge the central government to immediately start the survey process in Punjab to complete the work on the SYL canal,” the BJP leader added.

Khattar also said that Haryana had always been in favour of finding solutions through dialogue, but that Punjab’s attitude towards the construction of the SYL canal and the distribution of water had always been “adamant”.

“Punjab has always insisted on sharing water instead of SYL construction, whereas in 2002, the Supreme Court gave a decree in favour of Haryana regarding the construction of the canal and sharing of water, making it clear that the cases of disputes between the states would be referred to a tribunal according to the Interstate Water Disputes Act,” he said. “Also, the dispute over the construction of the SYL canal has not been linked to para 9.3 of the agreement. This makes it clear that the construction of the SYL canal has nothing to do with water sharing among the states and this is not a water dispute.”

#WATCH | Chandigarh: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says, “…Both things they say by sitting in the Punjab government office… The Punjab government MLA says yes, this will happen (giving water), and the Punjab Finance Minister says that we will not give water… If you had to… https://t.co/SEryM74LKI pic.twitter.com/MbncQXxlqa

— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2023

“Due to the delay in construction of the SYL canal by Punjab, not only Haryana is facing a water crisis, but the excess water of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers is going to Pakistan. Due to this, the country is being deprived of taking advantage of its water wealth,” Khattar further said.

According to the chief minister, in the past 10 years, 1.68 MFA of Sutlej water and 0.58 MFA of Ravi-Beas water had flowed to Pakistan. “Therefore, it is important that the construction of the SYL canal be completed as soon as possible to prevent the loss of water resources at the national level,” he said.

The chief minister further said that farmers were suffering huge losses now. “With completion of the construction of the canal, farmers of Haryana will have additional water available for irrigation, which will not only increase production but also help them increase their income,” he added.