In the ongoing Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute, the Supreme Court has sought a survey report on the current status of the canal from the Central government. The apex court has stressed the need for the Central government to provide an update on the progress of the SYL canal construction in Punjab. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for January 2024. During the hearing, the bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice CT Ravikumar, and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia admonished the Punjab government, urging them not to politicize the issue. The top court stressed that no entity, including the Punjab government, is above the law and that Punjab should refrain from compelling the court to issue strict directives.
The Haryana government argued during the hearing that this dispute has persisted for two decades, with no signs of resolution. They accused the Punjab government of obstructing a solution. Notably, no progress has been made in the last two meetings held to address the issue. The Supreme Court, in response, instructed the Central Government to initiate a survey to assess the current state of the SYL canal on the Punjab side, including land allocation and construction progress. The Punjab government has been tasked with providing necessary support for this survey. Additionally, the Supreme Court has called on the Punjab government to ensure the safety and security of officials conducting the survey.
Expressing frustration with the Punjab government’s stance, the Supreme Court directed them to cooperate in advancing the resolution of the matter. The court urged the Punjab government to adopt a positive approach when the Supreme Court is actively seeking a solution. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has requested a comprehensive report on the developments in this case. The Rajasthan government has also expressed doubts about the Punjab government’s commitment to a resolution. The Supreme Court underscored that the construction of the SYL canal in Haryana is nearly complete, emphasizing the need for Punjab to work towards a solution to the issue. The court reiterated its dedication to finding a resolution and expressed hope that the Punjab government would cooperate in this endeavor. Additionally, the Supreme Court has called for a report from the Central Government detailing the current status of the SYL canal construction in Punjab. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly stated that Punjab does not possess surplus water to allocate to any other state.
