Centre must give specifics of reference on SYL: Punjab to SC

Punjab government today asked the Centre in the Supreme Court to come out with details of the presidential reference over the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issue, including why it was made.
"This reference is of fundamental importance. It is important for Union of India to explain why reference has been made by it. We want to know what we have to answer," senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan told a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice A R Dave.
Appearing for Punjab government, Dhawan told the bench, conducting a hearing on the Presidential Reference pertaining to Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, that "this case has come from Centre and not from Haryana. We would like to see the views of Union."

With regard to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, the question of quantum of water also arise and it has to be seen whether it is violative of Article 262 (adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter State rivers or river valleys) of the Constitution, he said.
At the outset, senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, also on behalf of Punjab, said the bench should consider preliminary objections raised and the hearing on Haryana's applications on which interim order has been passed.
He said the interim order passed by the apex court has been complied with by Punjab.

The bench, which also comprised Justices P C Ghose, Shiva Kirti Singh, A K Goel and Amitava Roy, agreed with Jethmalani and said he could share with the parties the note on the preliminary objections.

On March 14, the Centre had said in the hearing on the
Presidential Reference that "the Centre will not take any side".
On the same day, Punjab Assembly had passed the bill against construction of the contentious SYL canal providing for transfer of proprietary rights back to the land owners free of cost.
Three days later, the apex court had directed maintenance of status quo on land meant for SYL canal, after Haryana alleged that attempts have been made to alter its use by levelling it.
The apex court in its interim order had also appointed Union Home Secretary and Punjab's Chief Secretary and Director General of Police as the 'joint receiver' of land and other property meant for the SYL canal till further order.

The legislation -- Punjab Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (Rehabilitation and Re-vesting of Proprietary Rights) Bill, paves the way for denotifying 5,300 acres of land acquired in the Punjab side for 122 km SYL canal, of which 92 km falls in Haryana.