25th July, 2002
Ministry of Water Resources  


SHRI SETHI CALLS FOR AMICABLE SOLUTION TO INTER-STATE WATER ISSUES


The Union Minister for Water Resources, Shri Arjun Charan Sethi called upon the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to settle the outstanding water-related issues in an amicable manner. At a meeting convened by Shri Sethi here today to discuss the issues pertaining to sharing of water, he expressed the view that an amicable settlement could be reached through discussions among the concerned Chief Ministers. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss three main issues namely, restoration of Rajasthan’s remaining share of 0.6 MAF (Million Acre Feet) in surplus Ravi-Beas waters; transfer of control of head works at Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and completion of Punjab portion of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal. Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty, Capt. Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Irrigation Ministers of Punjab and Rajasthan and the Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Haryana attended the meeting.

On the construction of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal, the Minister apprised the States of the Supreme Court judgement on the issue and urged the State Governments to take appropriate steps to implement the directions.