Successive defeats notwithstanding in Haryana, Indian National lok Dal (INlD) is trying to revive its base in the State by raking up the issue of Sutlej Yamuna link (SYl) canal.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, INlD MP from Hisar Dushyant Chautala requested him to ensure completion of the Sutlej Yamuna link (SYl) canal at the earliest.The move comes as the main Opposition party in Haryana is finding it difficult to keep its flock together after losing the assembly election for the third time in a row.
SYl has remained an emotional issue for both Haryana and Punjab besides being the main bone of contention for both. INlD has asking Modi to complete the canal as early as possible.In the letter, Dushyant, said the apex court had in 2002 decided the SYl issue in favour of Haryana and had even directed the Centre to ensure the completion of the canal section in Punjab.
In 2004, the Punjab assembly, however, terminated the water-sharing agreements with other states, including Haryana.The matter was then referred to the Supreme Court as a Presidential Reference. However, in May, a constitution bench headed by the-then Chief Justice of India, RM lodha, while quashing a law enacted by the Kerala legislative assembly in 2006, had ruled that the assembly had no power to enact laws to nullify judicial verdicts based on facts and findings, added Dushyant.
“It is clear that the termination of water agreements by way of the law by the Punjab assembly in 2004 was invalid and unconstitutional; and in light of this, I urge you to ensure completion of the remaining SYl canal,” Dushyant wrote.