Chandigarh: Decades old issue of Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal on water sharing between two north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana has seen many ups and downs over past sixty years and is still far from an amicable solution. Though the negotiations between the two states have been held in June 2004 and later, any concrete resolution seems to be a far cry .
The SYL canal was stipulated in 1966-67 when erstwhile Punjab state was bifurcated into
three parts, viz., Punjab (with truncated area), Haryana, a new state and some districts merged with Himachal Pradesh (viz., Shimla, Kangra, including today’s Una, Hamirpur). The SYL Canal was proposed to grant its share of river water to Haryana for irrigation etc. and it spans over 214 km, with Punjab accounting for 122 km and Haryana 92 km. Haryana has completed its part of the Canal, but Punjab has done so partly, citing its higher requirement for irrigation, industry and domestic use by its population.
Bifurcation of Punjab was the result of long agitation by Akali leaders of the state, namely Sant Fateh Singh, Gurbachan Singh Tohra, Harchand Singh 
Longowal, Surjeet Singh Barnala, Prakash Singh Badal and others.
This meeting between Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana was held in the presence of Gajendra Shekhawat, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, on Thursday after the Supreme Court ‘s recent directions to the Central Govt. to find a mutually acceptable formulae on water sharing between the two states.
The meeting among the three senior functionaries of Central and State governments ended in a stalemate as Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is reported to have taken a stiff stand, keeping in mind the interests of Punjab farmers. The issue is not only a political but sentimental, for the farmers of two states. Punjab CM Mann expressed his apprehensions on the issue and sought more time to discuss among the stake holders.
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khatter, remarked jokingly, ‘Maan hai ki maanta hi nahi’ , referring to his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann’s reservations over the Canal water issue and possibility of any pragmatic solution. Mann declared, ‘there is no drop of water to spare’ while discarding Haryana’s claims on the two Rivers’ water resources. The meeting had been held under the Oct. 4 directions of the Supreme Court, hearing a long pending petition since 2June 2004.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has suggested that Haryana should get water from Ravi-Beas, as excess water from these rivers is going to Pakistan through Harike Barrage, diverted under India-Pakistan Water Sharing treaty of 1946-47 during Partition of India.
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