Gurugram: Haryana and Rajasthan on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development and implementation of the Yamuna Water Undertaking, with Residence Minister Amit Shah presiding over the ceremony in New Delhi.
The MoU will successfully allow Rajasthan to make use of the 1,119 million cubic meters of Yamuna water allotted below the 1994 Yamuna Higher River Fee settlement via devoted infrastructure.
The deal drew speedy criticism from opposition events, who questioned whether or not Haryana was giving up water it did not but safe.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bajranglal Sharma have been additionally current on the signing ceremony. saini Posted A video of the occasion and his put up on X, “At the moment, a historic Water Settlement (MOU) was signed between Haryana and Rajasthan in New Delhi below the chairmanship of Residence Minister Shri Amitshah Ji. 1994 As per the Yamuna Higher River Fee settlement of 2017, water will probably be provided to the state of Rajasthan and the Renuka, Kishau and Rakwal dam initiatives will acquire new momentum. This settlement is a vital step in direction of “water administration, inter-state cooperation and a safe way forward for water. ”
Underneath the settlement, round 580 million cubic meters of Yamuna surplus water out there in Haryana between July and October will probably be channeled to Rajasthan via three underground pipelines from the Hasnikund Barrage through the Western Yamuna Canal.
The remaining water to Rajasthan will probably be channeled as soon as the Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar dam initiatives are accomplished.
Every pipeline will probably be over 3.6 meters in diameter and can provide consuming water to Shikhar, Churu and Jhunjhunu districts in Rajasthan and Bhiwani and Fatehabad districts in Haryana.
Prime Minister Shah stated the deal was a decision to an almost 30-year-old water dispute and vindicated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “settlement via dialogue” strategy.
He stated the framework, developed with the involvement of the Central Water Fee, incorporates cost-sharing preparations, water launch protocols, upkeep tasks, monitoring methods and dispute decision mechanisms.
“If the states transfer ahead within the spirit of cooperative federalism, issues which were occurring for 30 years will be simply resolved,” Shah stated.
The water that flows downstream unused throughout the monsoon season will now be saved in massive ponds, which officers stated may also assist recharge groundwater ranges.
Mr. Saini stated a number of rounds of consultations have been held below the chairmanship of Mr. Patil earlier than the MoU was finalized and warranted Haryana’s full cooperation in its implementation.
Haryana Chief Minister Anurag Rastogi was additionally among the many dignitaries current.
“I oppose the Tooth and Nail Memorandum.”
After the announcement, INLD nationwide patron and former finance minister Professor Sampat Singh held a press convention on the occasion headquarters in Chandigarh and stated the occasion was “completely opposed” to the memorandum.
He claimed that Haryana’s share of Yamuna water has already been decreased from round 8 billion cubic meters (BCM) within the pre-1994 settlement to five,730 BCM within the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding, whereas the Renuka, Kishau and Rakhal Vyasi dams deliberate below the settlement to reinforce the circulation of the Yamuna stay unbuilt even after greater than 30 years.
Singh recalled that when the 1994 accord was signed, all 17 INLD legislators had resigned from the Haryana Meeting in protest below the management of late Om Prakash Chautala.
At the moment, we held an necessary press convention on the correct to water in Haryana.
The Lok Dal of India is of the clear opinion that the Haryana-Rajasthan water settlement signed by the Bharatiya Janata Celebration is towards the pursuits and rights of the nation. We strongly oppose this settlement and can make each effort to guard Haryana’s water rights. pic.twitter.com/OZwBE5tjAe
— Professor Sampat Singh (@ProfSampatSingh) June 29, 2026
He stated a celebration assembly below Abhay Singh Chautala would quickly resolve on the subsequent plan of action.
Opposition chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda questioned the timing and order of the settlement.
When contacted, Hooda instructed this newspaper that earlier than transferring Yamuna water to Rajasthan, the Haryana authorities ought to have first secured its personal water provide for the state via the Sutlej-Yamuna hyperlink canal. The canal is a decades-old dispute with Punjab that continues to be unresolved regardless of a number of Supreme Court docket instructions in favor of Haryana.
Mr Hooda additionally raised the problem of Hansi-Butana canal. Since 2011, the Supreme Court docket has maintained an interim injunction restraining Haryana from breaking or “punching” the Bhakra most important line to attract water into the 109-kilometre Hansi Butana multipurpose canal. Hooda stated the water is Haryana’s current allocation from the Bhakra system and no different state has any vested curiosity in it.
Punjab opposes the transfer, claiming it may threaten its personal provides and pose a safety danger to BML.
This case continues to be topic to judicial willpower.
“The Bharatiya Janata Celebration authorities has not made any effort to revoke the Supreme Court docket’s keep order on BML,” Hooda stated.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Additionally learn: SYL: Punjab and Haryana CM conferences finish with out decision, creating a way of déjà vu similar to what occurred 40 years in the past
