Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab Govt firm on protest state’s water rights, seeks amicable SYL resolution: CM Mann; Watch Video
Punjab has no surplus water; not even a single drop of its rightful share will be given away, says CM
Haryana agrees to formation of Joint Committee on Punjab’s proposal
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 27, 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday asserted that the Punjab Government stands firm in safeguarding the State’s interests in the ongoing water dispute, while simultaneously working towards a mutually acceptable resolution of the long-pending Sutlej–Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. The Chief Minister made these remarks during a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Reiterating Punjab’s clear stand, CM Mann said that the State has no surplus water to share with any other state and categorically asserted that not even a single drop of Punjab’s rightful water would be allowed to be taken away. “Punjab is not depriving anyone of their legitimate rights, but the State itself is facing an acute water crisis,” he said.
Describing Punjab as the elder brother of Haryana, the Chief Minister said the State does not want confrontation with its neighbouring state and is keen to resolve the dispute amicably.
“As the elder brother, Punjab wants an early and mutually agreed solution to this emotive issue,” he said, while cautioning that any attempt to impose the SYL canal would lead to serious law and order issues in the State. He also clarified that land for the SYL canal is not available in Punjab at present.
Highlighting the imbalance in river water allocation, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that out of 34.34 million acre feet (MAF) of water from the three rivers, Punjab was allocated only 14.22 MAF, amounting to about 40 percent, while the remaining 60 percent was allocated to Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, despite the fact that these rivers do not flow through those states.
Expressing concern over Punjab’s deteriorating water situation, the Chief Minister said that due to declining surface water availability, excessive pressure is being placed on groundwater resources. He pointed out that 115 out of 153 blocks in Punjab have already been declared over-exploited, giving the State the highest rate of groundwater extraction in the country.
Invoking the spirit of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, CM Mann said that Punjab has always risen above self-interest and supplied nearly 60 percent of its river water to non-riparian states. However, he added that flood-related damages caused by these rivers are borne solely by Punjab, making it imperative to safeguard the State’s rights.
Quoting Gurbani, “Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat,” the Chief Minister said that Sikh teachings regard air as the teacher, water as the father and land as the mother, and the Punjab Government is committed to protecting these vital natural resources.
Calling the ongoing talks historic, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time in recent history, both state governments are engaged in serious deliberations to resolve the issue. He emphasised that there is no question of winning or losing, but the interests and sentiments of Punjab and Punjabis cannot be ignored.
The Chief Minister said water is the lifeline of both Punjab and Haryana and welcomed Haryana’s agreement to form a Joint Committee on Punjab’s proposal. He suggested that regular meetings through a Joint Working Group would help find an amicable solution and pave the way for progress and prosperity in both states.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Irrigation Krishan Kumar and other senior officials.