SYL Canal Issue: SC Directs Punjab, Haryana To Respect And Execute Its Decree

Directing the states-Punjab and Haryana to “respect and execute” its earlier verdict to construct the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal’ the Supreme Court today warned both the governments to ensure peace in their respective states and there should not be any agitation over the issue.

The three-judges bench headed  by Justice Dipak Misra also observed that the citizens must understand that there can’t be any agitation relating to the subject when the matter is pending in the court.

 In the recent past, the state of Haryana has been witnessing public protests over the SYL issue  led by former ruling party Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

After hearing the parties the bench in its order said "authorities of both the states (Punjab and Haryana) must remember that decree passed by this court has to be respected and has to be executed."

"Since matter is subjudice, we direct that there should be sustenance of peace in the states of Punjab and Haryana and it would be the obligation of the state authorities to see that no such agitations happens there," the bench said.

Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench that the Union Minister for Water Resources has conducted a number of meetings with competent authorities of both these states and the Central government was hopeful that there would be a settlement between two states on the SYL issue.

Appearing for the state of Haryana, senior advocate Shyam Divan told the court  the State has executed the decree passed by the Apex Court but now it is in the hands of State of Punjab.

The court recorded Punjab government’s submission that the delay in construction of canal is because of the legal implications.

However, the bench said “it is obligatory on the part of the states to execute the decree.”

The bench has now fixed September 7 for further hearing of the matter.