Chandigarh, January 24
The Cabinet Secretary, Mr Kamal Pande, today heard both Punjab and Haryana on the construction of the SYL canal.

Informed sources in New Delhi told TNS that the Centre was in the “thinking” mode having heard the views of the two states. From all available accounts, it is apparent that there are “no dense clouds” over Punjab on this issue, for the present at least. Also that the Centre is in no mood to take any immediate steps on the matter or any “drastic” action, like commissioning a central agency to take up the work on the SYL canal. There is a probability that the Centre may “hold the hand of Punjab”, which maintains that sharing or giving away of any water would “dry up” its agricultural land in at least five south-western districts.

While Punjab was represented by its Principal Secretary, Irrigation, Mr Rajan Kashyap, Haryana team was led by its Chief Secretary, Mr A.N. Mathur. The Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr Y.S. Ratra, could not attend due to his pre-occupation in Chandigarh.

At the meeting, Punjab is believed to have stuck to its stand that it had “no surplus water” to part with. Moreover, completing the SYL canal will serve no purpose, as no water will flow into the canal. Most of the arguments put forth by Punjab were on the same lines as in its petitions filed in the Supreme Court.

Haryana, on the other hand, is believed to have reiterated that the Centre must intervene and implement the directions of the Supreme Court, which had, inter alia, asked the Centre to step in to discharge its constitutional duty and have the SYL completed and commissioned, so that Haryana can draw its share of water, if Punjab failed to do the same with in the stipulated one-year period, which ended on January 15.

Mr Pande is believed to have patiently listened to the two states without making any commitment. Also present in the meeting were secretaries concerned — Water Resources, Home and Finance (expenditure).