Pact to Share Yamuna Water | 19 Feb 2024

Haryana signed an agreement with Rajasthan to share water from Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, with it excess water flowing from its Hathnikund barrage, especially during the rainy days.

According to the agreement, the two states will prepare a detailed project report for laying pipelines from Western Yamuna Canal of Hathnikund barrage.
Three pipes would be meant for Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu districts, while an additional pipe will be laid to take water towards southern Haryana through Dadri district.

The Issue stems from a controversial 1981 water-sharing agreement drawn up when Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966.
Punjab:
- Punjab vehemently opposes sharing any additional water with neighboring states. They stress that Punjab lacks surplus water and highlights the reduction in their water allocation over the years.
- Many areas in Punjab may go dry after 2029 and the state has already over-exploited its groundwater for irrigation purposes as it fills granaries of the Centre by growing wheat and paddy worth Rs 70,000 crore every year.
- Water in about 79% of the state’s area is over-exploited and in such a situation, the government says sharing water with any other state is impossible.
Haryana:
- Haryana strongly advocates for the canal's completion, citing a looming water crisis and asserting that Punjab has been utilizing Haryana's share of water.
- It says that providing irrigation is tough for the state and there was a problem of drinking water in southern parts of Haryana, where groundwater has depleted up to 1,700 feet.
- Haryana has been citing its contribution to the central food pool and arguing that it is being denied its rightful share in the water as assessed by a tribunal.