SC blow to Punjab- Says scrapping of act on water sharing with other states illegal

The apex court further said that legislation passed by Punjab against the construction of the canal is null and void.

New Delhi, Nov. 10: The Supreme Court on Thursday cracked the whip on the Punjab Government, saying it cannot unilaterally take a decision on the Satluj-Yamuna Link canal. The states of Punjab and Haryana have been squabbling with each other over the proposed water sharing arrangement.

The apex court further said that legislation passed by Punjab against the construction of the canal is null and void. According to reports, the legislation passed by the Punjab Assembly also provides for transfer of land, which was acquired for the canal, back to the land owners.

The SC had earlier this year directed Punjab to maintain status quo on the sensitive issue after reports suggested that the Punjab had made attempts to level the land meant for the construction of the canal.

The apex court has asked the Centre to take over the construction work for the canal, reported news agency ANI.

Punjab has been insisting that the SYL water sharing agreement with Haryana was based on 1920 data, while the latter has been saying that it has been deprived of its legitimate share of water. The Haryana assembly had also termed Punjab Assembly's bill as "unconstitutional".

Oneindia News