Proposal for PM holding meeting on SYL

The Punjab government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that there was a proposal for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a meeting over the settlement of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue.

Senior counsel A.K. Ganguly shared the proposal to a three-member bench.

However, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, who sought two months time for a resolution of the "emotive" problem, said he was not aware of the proposal of the Prime Minister meeting Haryana and Punjab.

Venugopal told the bench that he was seeking two months time. "We are hoping there will be a settlement."

He told the court that the Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti had made "tremendous efforts" in this regard.

Granting two months time as sought by the Centre, the apex court said it would be open to both the states to agree to a situation "where a decree can be worked out, modified or an alternative can be thought of with the consent of both the parties".

However, making it clear that the decree and decisions by the Supreme Court had to be "respected and executed", the court said it was the duty of Punjab and Haryana to ensure the sustenance of peace.

Haryana's main opposition party, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), is seeking immediate construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Punjab to bring more water to Haryana.

The Supreme Court has already adjudged the SYL matter in Haryana's favour but the INLD is seeking immediate implementation of the order through the canal's construction.

--IANS

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