Overview

• Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil’s fourth round of mediation on July 9 failed to yield a resolution to the decades-long SYL canal dispute.
• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann insisted the state lacks surplus water for sharing and urged a reassessment under international norms.
• Mann proposed a Yamuna-Satluj Link canal and diverting up to 23 million acre-feet of Chenab waters to meet both Punjab’s and Haryana’s needs.
• Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described the discussions as cordial and voiced confidence that a positive outcome is within reach.
• The states will hold a fifth round of talks on August 5 under central facilitation ahead of the Supreme Court’s August 13 hearing.