Supreme Court asks Punjab to maintain status quo over Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal

NEW DELHI | CHANDIGARH: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Punjab government to maintain status quo on land meant to be used to construct the Sutlej Yamuna link canal which will carry water to Haryana. The order is expected to prevent the politically emotive issue between Haryana and Punjab from taking on the dimensions of a serious law and order problem.

Water sharing is an emotive issue ahead of the polls and the government had brought in a law to reduce the canal, which was envisaged in 2004, to naught and hand over the land back to the farmers. As per the order, the state DGP and chief secretary as well as the Union home secretary will treat the land as court property, as receivers appointed by the court, and personally ensure that it is not taken over by the farmers.

Though the Punjab SYL canal (Rehabilitation and re-vesting of rights) Bill, 2016, is yet to receive the Governor’s assent, farmers in anticipation of a pre-poll bonanza of sorts had started moving back into their lands.

The bill was to take effect from the date on which it was notified.

Some 5,000 acres had been acquired for a 22-km stretch that passes through the state. More than `800 crore has been spent. According to Haryana, 90% of the work is complete.