THE SUTLEJ YAMUNA LINK (SYL) CANAL ISSUE

THE SUTLEJ YAMUNA LINK (SYL) CANAL ISSUE

THE SUTLEJ YAMUNA LINK (SYL) CANAL ISSUE

The Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issue is a long-standing water dispute between the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, related to the sharing of waters of the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. The construction of the SYL canal was planned to provide Haryana with a share of the river waters, but the project has been mired in controversy and legal battles. The issue has been marked by violence and loss of life, including the murder of engineers involved in the project.

UPSC RELEVANCE FOR LINKAGES OF RIVERS

Sutlej Yamuna Link

Sutlej Yamuna Link

History of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal 

  • The history of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue goes back to the early 1960s when the Indian government initiated the construction of a canal to link the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. The canal was meant to provide water to Haryana, which was formed as a separate state in 1966 after being carved out of Punjab. However, the construction of the canal was delayed due to protests by Punjab, which argued that the project would result in a loss of its share of the river waters.
  • In 1976, the Indian government intervened and passed the Punjab Reorganization Act, which provided for the construction of the SYL canal and the sharing of river waters between the two states. However, Punjab continued to resist the project, and the canal construction was stalled for several years.
  • In 1990, a group of militants in Punjab carried out a series of attacks on engineers and laborers working on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project. Several engineers were kidnapped, and some were later found murdered. The violence led to a suspension of the construction of the canal.
  • In 2004, the Supreme Court of India ordered the construction of the canal to be completed within a year, but the order was not implemented due to protests in Punjab. The issue was further complicated by a change in government in Punjab, with the new government taking a stand against the construction of the canal.
SYL Canal

SYL Canal

Present Status of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal

  • In recent years, the issue has remained unresolved, with both Punjab and Haryana continuing to stake their claim to the river waters. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ordered the construction of the canal, but its implementation has been stalled due to protests and legal battles.
  • In November 2016, the Supreme Court of India once again ordered that the canal be completed, directing Punjab to hand over its share of the river waters to Haryana. This led to protests in Punjab, with the state government passing a resolution against the construction of the canal. The matter was referred to a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing arguments on the issue.

Conclusion 

Recently Governor of Haryana speaking at the inaugural budget session at the Haryana state legislature said the state government is committed to getting the due share of the state from the Ravi -Beas rivers through the construction of the Sutlej Yamuna link canal. He has mentioned the other river projects in the states of Himachal Pradesh namely the Renuka dam project and in Uttarakhand the Kishau and lakhwar -Vyasi on the river Yamuna and the commitment of the state government in the construction of upstream projects.

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The article based on current affairs reflects the conflict between the Haryana Government and Punjab Govt on Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal. The topic described above hinges on Indian Polity.  Plutus IAS delivers such kinds of the best and latest daily current affairs on Indian Polity for the UPSC examination free of cost. Also, get weekly, and monthly current affairs for the IAS exam preparation. 

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