New Delhi:
The All Punjab Congress MLAs have decided to resign in a group to protest against the Satluj Yamuna Link canal row. Captain Amarinder Singh also resined from Lok Sabha. Satluj Yamuna Link canal row has been among one of the most prominent issues of the state.
Satluj Yamuna Link Canal (SARYU) is a proposed 214-kilometer long canal connecting Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. The proposal to connect both rivers became controversial and it was referred to the Supreme Court of India. The canal defined river water sharing between Punjab and Haryana.
Satluj Yamuna Link Canal controversy began way back when Punjab was reorganised in 1966. The state of Haryana was formed then. The decision on sharing of resources between the state was also taken but decision on river water sharing was left for a decision later.
In 1976 the Centre issued a notification mentioning that both the states will receive 3.5 million acre feet of water each. In 1978 SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) govt. passed this bill under notification (as per the tribune )by deal of 3 crores Owing to Punjab's inaction in 1979 Haryana approached the Supreme Court to implement this allocation.
The construction of Satluj Yamuna Link Canal was suspended in 1990s on account of spreading militancy in the area. In January 2002 the Supreme Court directed the Punjab Government to continue digging the project. Punjab sought to be discharged from this obligation in 2003.
In 2004 the Punjab State Legislature passed the "Punjab Termination of Agreement Act 2004", to denotify the land. A Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court with regard to the same was made in 2004 and in 2016 March the Supreme Court has taken up the same for hearing.
In 2016, Punjab assembly has also sought to pass a Bill to effect restoration of land acquired for the canal link to the farmers free of cost. Supreme court has ordered to pass the Bill.
