Haryana, Punjab firm on SYL stand

Punjab and Haryana stuck to their respective stands on the controversial Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue during a meeting held by the Centre on Thursday in New Delhi.

During the hour-long meeting with Amarjit Singh, secretary, Union water resources ministry, the Punjab government urged the Centre to take steps to prevent monsoon run-off to Pakistan and ensure that every drop of water is allowed to be used by it.

The meeting, attended by the chief secretaries of both the states, was organised to find an amicable way out of the river water dispute between the two states. The meeting was, however, inconclusive.

Punjab apprised the Centre of the critical water situation in the state and its inability to share water with Haryana.