Punjab and Haryana reach consensus on SYL, official-level talks to begin
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): An important meeting was held in Chandigarh on Tuesday between the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab regarding the SYL dispute. The meeting discussed the issue in detail, point by point. Haryana's Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Mrs. Shruti Chaudhary, and Punjab Cabinet Minister, Barinder Goyal, were also present. Following the meeting, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a joint press conference to provide details about the meeting. Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini stated that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave the message of "Pavan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharti Mahat." This is the sacred land of the Gurus, and their teachings remain precious and guiding principles for us even today. Saini remarked that the meeting took place in a very positive and cordial atmosphere. When discussions take place in a positive environment, the results are fruitful.
The Chief Minister stated that both states have mutually decided to hold meetings at the level of Irrigation Department officials to further discuss the SYL issue in detail, in order to move forward towards a practical and lasting solution. He stated that meetings are being held regularly in accordance with the guidelines of the Honorable Supreme Court, and today's meeting was also held in that direction. Previous meetings have already been held under the mediation of Union Water Resources Minister Shri CR Patil. During the press conference, Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann stated that today's meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and it was agreed that officials from both states would first meet to discuss the issue. Present on the occasion were Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana, Rajesh Khullar, Punjab Chief Secretary K.P. Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary of the Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Anurag Aggarwal, and other senior officials from both states. The Advocate Generals of both states were also present.