SYL canal deadlock continues as mediation efforts fail
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry has decided to stop mediating between Punjab and Haryana on the SYL issue. Previous meetings held by the ministry to end the deadlock remained inconclusive. This leaves a decision on the issue to the Supreme Court, which held disposal of the Presidential Reference on the 2004 Punjab Termination of Agreement Act legislated by the Punjab Legislative Assembly as illegal. This act shelved all interstate agreements regarding sharing of Punjab river waters with other states. The court hearing is scheduled for September 3.
The SAD has been opposing court directives because the state is now grappling with a water shortage. Both figures and the first-hand life experience of people makes it clear that Punjab is no longer the water surplus state it was in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite this year’s unusual rainfall pattern, Punjab is parched. Back in the 90s, the water dispute between Punjab and Haryana became one of the issues that fuelled militancy, with radical sections viewing it as a clear indication of discrimination against Punjab.
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In 1990, they launched an attack on the canal construction site, killing the project's chief engineer, superintending engineer, and 35 laborers. The origin of SYL lies in a central government notification of March 24, 1976, which provided for the division of waters between Punjab and Haryana. Punjab government moved to court on the issue many times but to no avail. On one occasion, the apex court placed the onus for the delay in completion of the canal on Punjab.
-PTC News
