Mann said Punjab is not opposed to sharing water, but a sustainable and mutually agreeable solution must be found that takes into account Punjab’s own water limitations and agricultural demands. “The Union Minister and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini both viewed the proposal of Punjab positively,” he claimed.He said that the long-conceived project of Sharda-Yamuna Link need be taken up on priority and surplus water be transferred to the river Yamuna at a suitable location. He said that the additional water available could offset the balance water requirement of the state of Haryana from the Ravi-Beas system, apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of capital city of Delhi, and availability of the Yamuna water to the state of Rajasthan. Mann said that, under the aforesaid eventuality, the issue of construction of SYL canal could be shelved and put to rest forever.Mann said the two CMs will meet again with the Jal Shakti Minister on August 5 and finalise the statement to be made on the SYL issue in the top court, which had in May asked Jal Shakti Minister to resolve the issue between the both states.He further said he had also complained against the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which he alleged was usurping Punjab’s waters. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, “The Chief Minister of Punjab also acknowledged that this issue should be resolved, as it has remained pending for far too long.”He expressed confidence that a positive outcome will be achieved on this issue. He said that Punjab and Haryana are like brothers, and even today, they share a common space with mutual respect and harmony. He added that the upcoming discussions in the next meeting are expected to lead to a better solution and yield positive results
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