IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

SYL Dispute

6th January, 2023 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

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In News

  • 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.

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