SYL canal row: Legislation passed by Punjab Govt. is null and void, says SC

In a major setback to the Punjab Government in the Sutlej Yamuna link canal row, the Supreme Court on Thursday said the legislation passed by the former is 'null and void' in the issue.

The apex court was to give its verdict on the presidential reference of 2004 on the SYL canal row. The controversy is on sharing of waters by states, including Punjab and Haryana.

The five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court answered in negative on all the questions of president reference if Punjab can enact the law over Sutlej Yamuna link canal.

The Centre will now take over the canal and continue building it.

Earlier, a constitution bench of the apex court had reserved the verdict on May 12 after the Centre had maintained its earlier stand that the states concerned should settle their disputes themselves.

The Centre had said that it was having a neutral stand in the matter in which the court has recorded the stand of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir.