SYL Canal: Punjab wants Centre to hold early talks

Facing another setback on the SYL canal issue following the Supreme Court order, Punjab government appealed to Centre to initiate early talks to find an amicable solution to the contentious issue.Pulled up by the court for its stance against the construction of the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the state's Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said Punjab did not want to deprive anyone of this essential commodity, but the critical shortage of water prevented it from sharing this vital resource."We are taking all possible steps to conserve the depleting groundwater and had also set up separate Department for Groundwater Management to assess the availability of water and adequate steps for its conservation," he said, adding that water in Punjab rivers had declined over the years due to the melting glaciers in the higher reaches.The Congress-led government which had maintained its stern stance against the construction of the canal, highlighting the impending water crisis in the state, however, welcomed the decision of the Court to give two months time to resolve the matter. The next hearing of the case is on September 7.Reiterating that the solution could only be achieved through negotiations, Captain Amarinder Singh urged the Central Government to facilitate dialogue with Haryana. The issue was also deliberated upon during a regional conclave of the states where Home Minister Rajnath Singh was present.While, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hailed the verdict and appealed to his Punjab counterpart to take immediate steps to ensure construction of the Canal in the state, which has been lying incomplete since 1990."I thank the Honorable Supreme Court for its orders on the SYL Canal issue. The apex court has done justice. I appeal to the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, for his co-operation in construction of the SYL Canal on Punjab territory for the benefit of farmers in both states", he said.The simmering water-dispute between the two states had been constantly raked up Haryana's main opposition party, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) which had led protests on the border of the two states and blocked roads. The Court also directed the two states to stop all people agitations on SYL, saying neither could afford to spiral into violence over the issue.Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unit on the other hand, called for a special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha to pass a unanimous resolution as done by Karnataka on the Cauvery waters, in case a consensual solution is not reached within the next two months.