Chandigarh: The Centre has called for a meeting between Punjab and Haryana to discuss the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal in Delhi on July 9. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil will attend the meeting.
Both states are preparing to present their positions firmly, with the chief ministers instructing officials to compile relevant documents and details of previous meetings.
Haryana Chief Minister Saini said, “Despite the clear order given by the Supreme Court in favour of Haryana, the Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab is on the path of confrontation rather than cooperation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should come down from the chariot of arrogance, because Punjab is the land of gurus, he should work in the interest of society, but Bhagwant Mann is disrespecting the teachings of gurus.”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that in view of the serious water situation in Punjab, the construction of the Yamuna-Sutlej Link Canal, instead of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal, should be considered.
He added that the agreement signed on March 12, 1954, between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh did not specify any particular area for irrigation by Yamuna waters.
