In Punjab, the government led by Bhagwant Mann has scheduled a two-day legislative assembly session to convene on October 20th and 21st. A focal point of this session will be the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute. The Supreme Court had recently directed the central government to conduct a survey of the land allocated for the construction of the SYL canal within Punjab.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court also instructed an evaluation of the extent to which construction has progressed in that designated area. Bhagwant Mann has openly challenged various political leaders on this issue, including Sunil Jakhar, the head of the BJP’s Punjab unit, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring from the Congress Punjab unit, and opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa within the Punjab Legislative Assembly. Sukhbir Singh Badal, a prominent figure from the Shiromani Akali Dal, has also been included in this discourse.
Earlier this year, in June, the Mann government had previously called for a two-day special session. Subsequently, Governor Banwarilal Purohit asked for information regarding the agenda for the upcoming two-day special session of the state legislature. The Punjab Cabinet had approved the calling of this special session, which was set for June 19th and 20th, during a meeting presided over by CM Mann.
As per experts, the SYL canal dispute is deeply rooted in historical and regional complexities, with water-sharing disputes being a recurring issue between Punjab and neighboring states. The allocation of river waters, particularly the Satluj and Yamuna, has long been a contentious issue, impacting not only politics but also the lives and livelihoods of the people in the region. The upcoming legislative session provides an opportunity for the government to address these historical grievances, foster dialogue among stakeholders, and seek a resolution that ensures equitable water distribution while considering the environmental implications of canal construction. This multifaceted challenge requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach, which the government is poised to address during the upcoming session.
