The Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal Dispute: A Perpetual Tussle
Contentious "Foreign Enemy" Characterization by High Court in Attempt to Resolve Punjab-Haryana Water Dispute
In the heart of India, the ongoing water squabble between Punjab and Haryana has caused a stir, with the High Court sharply commenting that internal states shouldn't engage in similar actions against each other.
The current spat revolves around water allocation, with Punjab stubbornly refusing to provide a single droplet to Haryana, a stance reinforced by a state assembly resolution. This defiance has led Punjab to seize control of the Nangal dam, accusing the Haryana government of attempting to curtail its water supply. Additional police reinforcements have been deployed at the dam by Punjab in response.
During a hearing of a petition by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the court expressed concern regarding the dispute. The BBMB petitioned for intervention, claiming that Punjab's aggressive takeover of the Nangal dam poses a threat to the reservoir's capacity, putting downstream states at risk of water scarcity.
This heated row over water sharing emerged after Punjab, governed by the AAP, declined to release additional water to BJP-ruled Haryana, arguing that Haryana had already utilized 103% of its allocated water share by March.
The Supreme Court has now mandated both Punjab and Haryana to collaborate with the Central government to find a resolution for the decades-old Sutlej-Yamuna Link ( SYL) canal feud. The Court urged both states to cooperate with the Union of India to arrive at a harmonious settlement.
Insights into the SYL Canal Dispute
The SYL canal dispute entwines the sharing of water resources between Punjab and Haryana, with roots traced back to a 1981 agreement among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The agreement required Punjab to construct the SYL canal, channeling surplus water from the Ravi-Beas rivers to Haryana [2][3].
Background
- Historical Context: The dispute escalated when Punjab stopped constructing the SYL canal, resulting in litigation. In 1996, Haryana filed a suit, and in 2002, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Haryana, ordering Punjab to complete the canal's construction [2].
- Punjab's Actions: In 2004, Punjab passed the Termination of Agreement Act, eventually declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2016. Punjab was ordered to adhere to the Court's earlier directives [3][5].
Current Status
- Supreme Court's Intervention: In an effort to enforce compliance with its past rulings, the Supreme Court recently labeled Punjab's cancellation of land acquisition for the SYL canal as "high-handedness" [1][4][5].
- Status Quo Clarification: The Court clarified that its status quo order pertains solely to the land necessary for the primary SYL canal linking Punjab to Haryana, not the internal canal network within Punjab [2][5].
Resolution Efforts
- Centre's Mediation Role: The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to act as a mediator to resolve the dispute, setting a deadline for resolving the issue [4][5].
- Challenges: Punjab's non-compliance with court orders and persistent political and public resistance in the region continue to pose significant hurdles in finding a resolution [5].
Towards a Resolution
The resolution of the SYL canal dispute is proving to be a formidable task, thanks to enduring political and public opposition in Punjab. The Supreme Court's mediation hopes to enforce compliance with its past rulings and facilitate an amicable settlement involving the Centre, but progress remains slow due to stubborn legal and political obstructions.
- The ongoing water conflict between Punjab and Haryana, known as the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute, has deep roots, dating back to a 1981 agreement that mandated Punjab to construct the SYL canal for water sharing with Haryana and Rajasthan.
- In recent news, the Supreme Court has intervened to ensure compliance with past rulings, criticizing Punjab's cancellation of land acquisition for the primary SYL canal and setting a deadline for the Centre to mediate a resolution to the decades-old dispute.
- Despite the Supreme Court's efforts, the resolution of the SYL canal dispute remains elusive due to lingering political and public resistance in Punjab, as well as Punjab's repeated disregard for court orders.
- This Sa Cabinet move to find a resolution to the SYL canal dispute follows political developments, such as the Bhakra Beas Management Board's petition expressing concern about Punjab's aggressive control of the Nangal dam and the impact it could have on downstream states.
