The issue of Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) between Haryana and Punjab still remains unsolved for decades and in a bid to resolve the issue of river water share, Haryana and Punjab Chief Ministers will meet on October 14 on the issue of SYL Canal. Discussions will be held to address this issue in meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 11.30 am. The Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal and the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann will be present in the meeting. Amid this and ahead of meeting Haryana claimed that due to non-availability of this water, the groundwater level in South-Haryana is also going down considerably. Due to non-construction of SYL, farmers of Haryana irrigate by using expensive diesel and running tubewells with electricity, which incurs an additional burden of Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 150 crore every year. Due to non-formation of SYL in Punjab region, the irrigation potential created to irrigate 10 lakh acres in Haryana is lying idle. Additionally, the state also bears the loss of 42 lakh tonnes of food grains every year. Haryana would have generated an additional 130 lakh tonnes of food grains and other crops had SYL been established in 1983 in accordance with the 1981 agreement. The total value of this agricultural produce at the rate of 15,000 per tonne is Rs. 19,500 crore.
Haryana is continuously demanding the share in SYL water stating that tye residents of Haryana have the right over SYL water and he is affirmative that they will definitely get their right. SYL water is very important for Haryana. Now it is necessary to fix a time line in this matter, so that the availability of water to the farmers of Haryana can be ensured. He expressed optimism that this crucial meeting, scheduled for Friday, will draw some positive solution.
Regarding this, Manohar Lal, the Chief Minister of Haryana said that It is well known that despite two Supreme Court judgments, Punjab has not completed the construction of SYL.
