SYL Canal Dispute: Supreme Court Slams Punjab’s Land Denotification
Why in the news
The Supreme Court rebuked Punjab for withdrawing the notification on land acquired for the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal.
Key facts
- A 1981 agreement among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan reallocated Ravi-Beas waters.
- Length 214 km; parties: Punjab and Haryana; case before the Supreme Court.
- The Court urged both states to settle amicably with the Centre.
1955 water shares
| Party | Billion m³ |
|---|---|
| Punjab | 7.3 |
| PEPSU | 1.6 |
| Rajasthan | 9.9 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 0.80 |
- Punjab’s total after the 1956 merger: 8.9 billion m³.
- 1960 Indus Water Treaty allowed full use of eastern rivers.
Tribunal
- Eradi Tribunal formed in 1986; in 1987 it set Punjab at 6.2 and Haryana at 4.72 billion m³.
- Haryana’s stretch was built; Punjab’s lagged.
Supreme Court position
- Status quo covers land for the main canal only, not Punjab’s internal network.
Exam angle
- Rivers: Sutlej, Yamuna.
- Tribunal: Eradi.