Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal Issue | 30 Dec 2023

Why in News?

Union Jal Shakti Minister will be holding a meeting with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab, as the meeting conducted earlier failed to bridge the gap between Haryana and Punjab on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue.

Key Points

• Underscoring the importance of constructing the SYL, the Punjab government will submit an affidavit to the Central government, providing details about the SYL and water situation.
• According to officials, Punjab has no surplus water to share with Haryana and reassessment of availability is required as per international norms.
  • In Punjab 76.5% of blocks (117 out of 153) are over-exploited. Here groundwater extraction is estimated at more than 100%. In Haryana the figure for over-exploited blocks is 61.5% (88 out of 143).
• Earlier the apex court directed the union government to conduct a survey of the land in Punjab that was assigned for construction of the SYL canal.