SYL Dispute | IAS GYAN

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Recently the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab discussed the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute in New Delhi in the Presence of the Union Jal Shakti Minister.
- The meeting remained inconclusive as no consensus was arrived at surrounding the construction of the SYL.

Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal :

The canal will resolve the water dispute between the rivers Ravi and Beas between Punjab and Haryana.
The water dispute emerged in 1966 at the time of the reorganization of Punjab and the formation of Haryana.
- The Punjab assembly has opposed the proposal of Water sharing of the two rivers with Haryana.
In 1982, the Prime Minister initiated the construction of the SYL Canal, but the political parties in Punjab were against the construction of the canal.
- Incidence of Violence pressured the government to stop the construction of the Canal.
Arguments of Punjab
- Many areas in Punjab may go dry after 2029.
- The groundwater level is declining.
- Punjab needs water for irrigation purposes and for ensuring food security
- As per the study, water in about 79% of the state’s area is over-exploited.
Arguments of Haryana
- The Haryana government stated that providing water for irrigation is getting tough for the state.
- Declining groundwater level.
- The problem of drinking water.

Sutlej River :

Sutlej River is the easternmost tributary of the Indus River.
It rises in the Kailash Mountain near Mansarover Lake from Rakas lake in Tibet.
The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built on the river Sutlej.
- It provides irrigation and other facilities to Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana states.
The Sutlej water is allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan.
The drainage basin in India includes the states and union territories of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Ladakh and Haryana.

Yamuna River :

The Yamuna is the 2nd-largest tributary river of the Ganges by discharge and the longest tributary in India.
Yamuna river originates from the Yamunotri Glacier at the Bandarpunch peaks of the Lower Himalaya in Uttrakhand.
It merges with the Ganges at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, which is also a site of the Kumbh Mela.
It flows through several states: Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, passing by Uttarakhand and later Delhi.
The important tributaries of the Yamuna River are Tons, Chambal, Hindon, Betwa and Ken.

Constitutional Provisions and Water :

Entry 17 of the State List deals with water; water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, dams, water storage and water power.
Entry 56 of the Union List empowers the Union Government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys.

Inter-State Water Dispute in India:

Article 262 of the Indian Constitution provides for the adjudication of interstate water disputes.
- Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute concerning the use, distribution and control of waters of any inter-state river and river valley.
- Parliament may also provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court is to exercise jurisdiction in respect of any inter-state water dispute.
The Parliament has enacted two laws;
- The River Boards Act (1956).
- The Inter-State Water Disputes Act (1956).
Under the River Boards Act, a river board is established by the Central government for the regulation and development of Inter-state Rivers and river valleys.
The Inter-State Water Disputes Act of 1956 authorizes the Central government to set up an ad hoc tribunal for the adjudication of a dispute between two or more states about inter-state water disputes.
- The judgment of the tribunal would be final and binding on the parties to the dispute.