Supreme Court asks Centre to intervene in the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal dispute between Punjab and Haryana, 04/10/2023
Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of The State of Haryana (Department of Irrigation) Vs The State of Punjab & Others 04/10/2023.
The matter related to the execution of a decree for construction of the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal in the Punjab portion as Haryana has already constructed the canal. The land was acquired and construction was commenced even in Punjab though there may be difference in estimates to what extent construction has already been completed in Punjab. The state of Punjab endeavoured to release the land to the farmers, which action has been stayed by the court and Receiver appointed.
The Supreme Court directed the Union of India to survey the portion of the land of Punjab allocated for the project to ensure that the land is protected as the Punjab government could not have released the land, their action having been stayed. An estimate can also be made as to what is the extent of construction which has already been carried out in Punjab, the SC suggested.
The state of Punjab tried to impress upon the SC that with the passage of time, the availability of water has become less and thus, the share of Haryana being purportedly less and that can be satisfied by other measures. But the apex court said that it has already been settled that the execution does not deal with the allocation of water.