CM Mann Proposes Chenab Water for Panjab

As directed by the Supreme Court of India, the Union Jal Shakti (Water Resources) Minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil called for a meeting with Panjab and Haryana chief ministers on 9 Jul to resolve the long delayed Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. After the meeting, Panjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, 'We are fighting for a few MAF of water. Now that the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is in abeyance, if we get 23 MAF from the western river Chenab, the whole dispute will be resolved forever. We can give water to Haryana, even to Madhya Pradesh.' This is problematic. India placing IWT in ‘abeyance’ is a violation of Pakistan’s rights to its rivers—Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus. For decades Panjab has stood for its riparian rights on its rivers Satluj, Beas, and Ravi and contests the SYL canal project over Haryana not being riparian to the rivers. Indian National Congress’ (INC) Member of Parliament from Patiala, Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi asked, 'How can a two-party international agreement (IWT, India, and Pakistan) be unilaterally cancelled under international law?' He also said Panjab is not riparian to Chenab and has no rights to the river. Panjab opposition INC Member of Legislative Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira said, ‘River Chenab is 150 kms from Ranjit Sagar Dam and 140 kms from Shahpur Kandi Dam. How long will it take to make canals from river Chenab to these dams? Both dams have reached full capacity during monsoon season. Is he (CM) proposing we make a new dam? How long will that take? At least, over 10 years. What should Punjab and Haryana do in the meantime? The best solution to SYL is Punjab asserts its Riparian status and we close the project. The land has already been handed back to farmers. Haryana can use waters from river Yamuna.’ The land Khaira is referring to is the land acquired by Panjab government for the SYL canal which was returned to farmers in 2016 by the then Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party govt. Liv Forum’s recent report presents the issues and recommendations on the water issues in Panjab.